Monday; November 26


          I really like Thanksgiving Day, but I also enjoy the entire “Holiday Season” that runs from late November to about the day after Christmas.  There is something special about this month – not just because you can get a deal on just about anything you’d like to buy – but, because people seem to be better.  Some might chalk it up to trying to make it from the “Naughty List” to the “Nice List”, but I really think it has to do with a sense of religiousness in the season.   The presence of the reminder of the birth of Jesus tends to bring out a spiritual side in people.  There is more civility, more service, more generosity and more gentleness.  No, not everyone gets into the spirit of the season, but it is amazing to feel the change that exists.
         I enjoy the break from the routine – and don’t mean to complain – but, this does seem to bring up the question, “Why don’t we do this all year long?”.  We can’t actually pinpoint the day Jesus was born as being December 25, nor is the message of His birth (and our reconciliation with God) a secret story that is only available to us during the last month of the year, so why do we act nicer this time of year?  Please don’t misunderstand me, I like the change, but what would happen if we felt the “reason for the season” all year long?
          The early Christians were reminded that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8).  I don’t think the focus of this passage is that we shouldn’t remember Jesus’ life during the final few weeks of the year – rather just the opposite – we should remember Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection all times of year! 
          I hope everyone has a great holiday season, but when we get that new calendar for 2019, let’s take the time to make notes on dates throughout the year to remember Jesus sojourn on earth.  Christmas may only come once a year, but Jesus’ influence in our lives should be felt year ‘round.
          Think About It!

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday; November 29

The biblical story of the Good Samaritan has changed our world. Notice I didn’t say that it had change religion or even Christianity, it has influenced the world. There are very few people who don’t know the moral of Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. In fact, the phrase has become a common description of everyday people doing good to their neighbors. While Jesus’ parable from Luke 10 shares several spiritual lessons, one of the most practical is that good can be done by anyone. You don’t have to be a church official to do good, it is not only possible for each one of us to help, it is required of all of us. If a Samaritan can be good, so can we! After presenting the parable, Jesus asked the man who had originally asked the question about being a good neighbor which character in the story was a good neighbor, “… he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’” at which point, the discussion from theoretical to personal, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” (Luke
Read more

Thursday; January 12

The other day I was watching a television show that used a rather common term applied to overcoming challenges. When organizations experience unexpected setbacks – especially when they lose key people – they rely upon the concept of “Next Man Up”. In essence, when our starters (or stars) go down, effective organizations rely upon their next levels to step into the vacancy. While this is an effective response, have we given much thought as to how we prepare to be the “next people up”? First, we must know our job. Even when we aren’t the primary players, we need to be preparing ourselves to be ready when we get the opportunity to shine. Second, we must do our best when we get the chance. Knowledge is important but what turns potential into talent is effort. Yet, maybe the most underappreciated aspect of this concept is a willingness avoid excuse-making and whining about the unfairness of our situation. When we complain about the circumstances that caused the need for replacements
Read more

Monday; September 25

When I was a youngster, I remember hearing about this thing called the Generation Gap. I was a little bit too young to be active in the social movements of the 1960s, but I do remember listening to the challenges the generations were experiencing way back then. Interestingly, now that I have been on both sides of the aging process, I have to admit that the Gap of the 1960s was nothing new. With the development of each generation comes conflict. The young people don’t feel like the older people understand them and the older folks tend to believe their input is being underappreciated. Too often trust is the casualty when two generations collide. The sad thing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. When we can capture the innovation and energy of the younger folks and harness the wisdom of those who have been around for a while we can develop a winning combination. No, we won’t always see things eye-to-eye nor will we necessarily speak the same emotional language, but when we app
Read more