The entire essence of Christmas is summed up in the verse: “For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”—Isaiah 9:6(AMP). In as much as the culture and the media makes it about Santa Claus, Frosty-the-snowman and Hallmark movies (which I am a fan of as well), Christmas period is a season of deep reflection on the story of a Savior who had the most humble forms of birth in the history of world. Considering His mission, it is difficult to comprehend how a manger would be where He was born.

Here are five virtues we all can learn from the Christmas story and apply to our daily lives:

• Love: The purpose of Christ’s birth was for him to come save a sinful world of man who was created in the image of God. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”. It is interesting to know how a lot of individuals take this verse for granted. Come to think of it, will you be willing to give out your only $1.00 note because a friend needs it to get some food? How about a candy bar, or your puppy? But God gave His only son as a result of the love He had for the world. People mourn for days over the loss of their dogs. Imagine what God must have gone through. What this teaches me personally is that, regardless of someone’s race, language, culture, political affiliation, religion, financial status, social status, sexual orientation or perspective on life, I should be accepting and tolerating of them. We might not necessarily agree on a plethora of issues but I should not allow stereotypes or prejudices cloud and influence how I relate to them.
• Humility: Humility is not less thinking of yourself but rather thinking of yourself less. That insinuates that you consider the interests of others before your own. In a world bedeviled with narcissism, obnoxious idiosyncrasies and selfies, it is politically incorrect to talk about being humble or considering others first because everyone has rights apparently and we all dance to the tune “you gotta do what you got a do”. But the Christmas story again tells us that Jesus Christ considered us first and humbled himself and came to die a shameful death. Philippians 2:5-8 (MSG) writes, “Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, He set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion”. How many kings get born in a manger to a carpenter and an ordinary girl? Humility is expedient to cordial living and even God hates proud people. He take is, “It’s common knowledge that God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble”—James 4:6 (MSG)
• Obeying laws: We live in a country of laws in spite of the rights we have. From not over speeding to paying taxes, not stealing or driving under the influence of whatever impedes our judgment, laws exist to regulate the ways of life. In the story of Christmas, Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem for the census at the proclamation of the then king Caesar Augustus. What was interesting is that, Mary almost due for the birth of Jesus Christ and they had embarked on the several miles journey by walking and on a camel. But without any excuses, they obeyed the king’s decree. If that story was to happen today, a lot of folks will take to social media and rant about why that is abuse. John 14:15(MSG) is explicit on obedience, “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you”. In college, professors make rules we as students have to follow. Some of which includes not cheating during tests. As finals approach, let’s study instead of hoping to cheat during those tests.
• Giving: One of the best parts of Christmas besides the decorations, food and Hallmark movies is unwrapping of the gifts. This year, make a personal resolve to be blessing to someone else in need. It can be paying for the grocery of the guy in front of you at the Wal-Mart checkout or gas station, donate clothes or even time to help someone understand a concept before the Finals. The summary of the Christmas story is, God gave because He loved us. So actions must correspond thoughts, feelings or perspective. Luke 6:38(KJV) indicates, “Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again”. There’s great fulfillment in being of aid to someone in need. “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord--and he will repay you”! Proverbs 19:17 (NLT)
• Faith: The birth of Jesus Christ tells us that, there’s a God who loves us and has a plan for our lives because He made us and know the purpose for which He did. In Genesis 1:27(NASB), it says, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them”. In order to operate a product, awareness of what the manufacturer made it for is needed. God made us and gave us His word through the scriptures. We have to study it and live by it. I know there might be someone who would be reading this but say oh well, I am not a religious person and I don’t believe in a God. I am not in anyway coercing anyone to have the same belief system as I do. However, in as much as going to the garage everyone does not mean you are a car, non-belief in the existence of God does not mean He does not exist. As we sing the Christmas carols, wait on Santa, decorate, go ice-skating and gift shopping, let’s realize that, the reason for the season is Christ. Merry Christmas to you all!