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Christmas Is Exactly What We Need Right Now

It's time for a reminder

Shawntel Shirkey

Nov 01, 2016

Friends University

Christmas Is Exactly What We Need Right Now

There are many reasons to love Christmas time:

The music.

The food.

The movies.

The decorations.

The gifts.

The lights.

Above all, there is one reason I love Christmas more than any other holiday:

The hope.

Christmas is a time to stop and remind ourselves of that little baby who changed the world forever. With Him came the Kingdom of God to this Earth, and we will never be the same.

This world is shaking. My world is shaking. Hurt, pain, anger, sadness, confusion seem to be fueling the globe, and we are all feeling the consequences.

In response, we cry, lament, maybe we even end up hurting one another. Our human bodies don't know how to handle this. That is because we were created for good.

We were intended to be beings of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We were made to live a life with God. We are all bearers of the image of God, and this world is keeping us from living into that.

Every part of us hates the hate because we were made for love.It is against our nature to endure hate.

There is good news, friends: when that tiny little baby entered this world, he brought a message with Him.

"Repent, for the Kingdom of the Heavens has come near." Matthew 3:2

It has come near. We can live the life we were meant to live right now. There is hope for this world that seems so hopeless.

Jesus' intention was not simply for us to live with Him in Heaven when we die; He wants us to live with him - in the life we were created for - right now.

So, as we approach this election, or whatever is causing pain in our lives, let us remember the hope that we have. That little baby didn't just bring us a list of ways to enhance our lives.

I started celebrating Christmas long before it was time; there have been trees (yes, plural) up in my apartment since school started. While it is fun to listen to Christmas music and watch people's faces as they see a tree up in September, that's not why I do it and it's not why I love it.

I do it for the reminder of hope. This is Good News of great joy. This election does not determine the purpose or value of my life. My friendships do not determine my happiness. There is peace in the Kingdom, and I need that reminder every day.

Let's celebrate Christmas a little early this year, shall we?

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Christmas Is Exactly What We Need Right Now

It's time for a reminder

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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