The time has come and Christmas is finally here, well at least by Friday. The month has been filled with holiday cheer and crazy shopping sprees. Gifts are wrapped and ready for excited faces on the morning of the 25th, and the lights are all aglow with carolers singing in the background. Though, sometimes too much is too much- less may be more in order to focus on the reason for the season. Therefore, we should know what we need less of at Christmas so that we can actually celebrate Christmas for what is really is.
1. Hate
Christmas is not the only time that we need less hate, but it is one of the most important times. We need to embrace love and kindness for our family, friends and strangers. Don’t hate the season nor the reason for Christmas. Show forgiveness to those who have wronged you and have an open heart, for when love is present, hate can no longer exist.
2. Anger
Why are you still angry at your parents? Your brother or sister? Best friend? Let it go. Life is more enjoyable when we let sleeping dogs lie. Christmas is not the time to hold on to past altercations, but the time to resolve them. It does not matter if the other party is angry with you. Anger breeds anger. Have a change of heart, and if you no longer show anger towards someone, then with time, their anger will have no foundation to live and grow.
3. Revenge
Anger may lead to revenge and yes, it fits into the category of hate as well, but it deserves its own category. Anger often leads to revenge. Your neighbor left that flood light on all night and blared music, but getting payback does not solve your problem. Revenge takes you down a path that other cannot follow (Star Wars reference) and it’s true. Don’t let your anger control your actions.
4. Entitlement
Never should you feel as if you are entitled to anything. We are simple humble servants of the Lord and we must embody this principle. No one owes you. Remember it is not what the world can do for you, but what you can do for the world.
5. Selfishness
Me, me, me and more me leads to a lonely life. The world does not revolve around you or I. All those gifts under the tree mean nothing if you have no one to share the memories with. Become a person with a giving heart, and not just for the month of December, but for your entire life. The rewards are far more giving and fruitful.
6. Pride
One of the hardest qualities to get rid of, pride causes hurt, resentment and constant conflict. Your pride is not important compared to your relationship with God or a loved one. You cannot undo time when it’s gone, it’s gone. Take the time now to set your pride aside and rekindle those lost relationship or to create new ones.
7. Complexity
It seems that everything gets so dang complicated during the holidays, especially during Christmas. It’s the simple things in life that make life worth living. It does not matter how expensive or big the gift you bought or receive is, nor how decked out your house is with Christmas lights. Remember, Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger with hay. A humble beginning for the King of all Kings and the Savior of the world.
8. Rudeness
Okay, so that guy cut you off in traffic. Bid deal. I can guarantee you that you would set a better example by keeping your cool rather than flipping the driver a bird, all while you have Merry Christmas written all over your car and those fish stickers stuck to your rear bumper. What does that tell people around you? Wow! What a hypocrite. Be nice to others and show some respects. Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself.
9. Anxiety
Leave stress at work. Don’t worry on how many gifts you think you have to or need to buy. Remember, it’s the thought that counts. There is no reason to ruin your Christmas by overthinking things and causing yourself more worry than it’s worth.
10. Seclusion
There is nothing worse during Christmas than the feeling of being alone. Don’t hoard yourself away, get out of your comfort zone and be seen. Also, show others that they are not alone. Greet people with a smile and let other know that there are people who care about them.
11. Greed
Money is the root of all evil and today’s society reflects that. Greed comes with selfishness, pride, and entitlement. Who cares how big your Christmas bonus was? Did you really need it? What about that family of five that can barely afford to feed their kids on Christmas day, let alone, buy them a simple gift. I’d rather be a giving person than a greedy one. Those who have little are often more giving, thankful and happy than those who are prideful over their wealth. Just goes to show, money does not buy everything.
You see, with less of all these negative qualities, we leave room for more of the positive ones. More love, kindness, giving, thankfulness, and most importantly more Jesus. Christmas is the season and Jesus is the reason. Just like in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, once Scrooge lived with less hate, anger, greed, selfishness, pride, complexity, revenge, etc., he opened his heart and saw the true meaning of Christmas. One celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and embodying the qualities that He revived in this sinful world. Merry Christmas and God Bless!
