This Christmas season as I solemnly look around,
I wonder where true Christmas sprit can be found.
Is this spirit the lavish adornment of decking halls,
is this spirit people shopping in congested malls?
Are our modern lifestyles completely self-engrossed,
and do we ponder the gifts we’re receiving the most?
How much of our joy is truly derived from giving,
as a result of traditions in our modern way of living?
How many of Christ’s values do we daily portray,
as we celebrate our individual Christmas day?
If we each took time to take an internal innovatory,
would we be willing to share our personal story?
Can we even remember the last Christmas time,
that we were completely selfless and sublime?
How much contemplation have we recently done,
regarding others needs, most likely, little or none?
This season how many hungry beggars have we spied,
how many have we refused a coin for greed or pride?
Do we find it very easy to elaborately justify,
why it’s okay for any hungry children to cry?
Do we often judge the outward looks of a man,
justifying our refusal not to give a helping hand?
Do we make self-indulgent lists of things we desire,
while refusing the less fortunate the warmth of our fire?
Have we forgotten all that Christ has given to us,
like faith and hope which lead to true happiness?
Through his Atonement he paid the ultimate price,
if we but repent, he’ll help us overcome our carnal vice.
It was Christ’s willingness to sacrifice his very all,
that’ll ultimately redeem mankind from their fall.
The key question for each of us is what we will do,
to lift, strengthen, and help in getting others through.
Reflect on how many self-indulgent years has it been,
since we’ve felt real compassion for a needy friend?
Do we have the power to avoid the shameful danger,
of purposefully turning a blind eye to a needy stranger?
Each time the Holy Spirit whispers in our ear,
are we sensitive enough to that spirit to hear?
Can we ever hope to truly feel the Christmas spirit,
if we refuse to allow ourselves to feel and to hear it?
If for a day Jesus Christ was walking at our side,
would we really allow our inner goodness to hide?
If we were able to look at others through his eyes,
would we then be able to see their desperate cries?
If we but could understood the depths of his love,
would that knowledge give us the needed shove?
If we allowed his spirit in for just a little while,
then could we selflessly walk the extra mile?
Within some men this spirit is burning bright,
May every brother find and share your inner light!
Within each heart burns the capacity for love,
it’s a heavenly endowment from God above.
So today take a piece of that love and give it away,
as we do, we become more Christ-like that very day.
Each time we draw deeply from love’s well,
Life then acquires a different taste and smell.
You’ll find that your well will never dry up,
God will provide blessings, filling loves cup.
No matter how fast you empty true love out,
blessings of piece and joy will come about.
Then we no longer obsess on selfish desires,
for God becomes a boundless blessing supplier.
We receive gifts we were not even hoping for,
as we open wide love’s treasured giving-door.
By Christ-like actions we learn, some things valued greatly,
simply do not help us to become everlastingly stately.
So, please during this very Christmas season,
may we put aside any of our selfish reason!
And by our Christ-like actions prove to all,
the sprit of Christmas in not found in a mall. |
