Season of Cheer

Have you ever heard people talk about spreading Christmas cheer? There is something about this time of year that brightens the moods of folks.

In a quick Google search I found several ways to share your cheerfulness: Share baked goods with friends, donate things to the needy, go caroling, decorate your house, volunteer serving food at a shelter, or go shopping for presents. These were a few things listed, but what's the Bible say about Christmas cheer?

It's important to note that Christmas, as we know it, isn't in the Bible. However, Jesus did similar things (listed above) to bring "Christmas cheer." Technically, Christ(s)-mas loosely means "worship according to Christ" or "this is how you worship God."

Jesus answered John's messengers when asked, "Are you [the Christ] or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:19). He said, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me.” (Luke 7:22-23)

Each of these miracles and messages brought "cheer" to those who "didn't stumble" because of who He was. Jesus had many people follow Him; some were genuinely interested in hearing about the future promises of God, and others were "cheerful" because of what they got from Christ's generosity (John 6:26-27; Phillipians 1:12-18).

The reality is that we create cheer by doing things for others that brighten their day. So that magical Christmas feeling isn't limited to December. Sometimes we have to "create" a cheerful environment in a situation that normally isn't cheerful at all, (much like Jesus in Luke 7).

Another example of this is found in the announcement of Jesus' birth (arrival to earth). The angels said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

Being saved from death and separation from God is definitely worth being cheerful about, but think of what this meant for Jesus. It was part of God’s plan to bring cheer or joy (which is the root word for cheer in koine Greek), but it is rooted in sacrificial love for others… a truly "Christmas" concept!

The Holiday Spirit

Paul describes the church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so, the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 

“Even so…”— the reality is that, although we are one, we still have things we deal with that make us feel different than others. The holiday season is supposed to be a wonderful time to reunite with friends and family and to reminisce about old times. But what if your friends and family aren’t really part of your life? What if they represent a life you left behind? Or what if you encounter other relationship obstacles? In you, or them? 

Jesus made it clear that there was a family stronger than blood. Probably the most obvious scene is in Mark 3:31-35 when some people came to where He was teaching and said, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for You.” It was His response that seemed weird at first, “Who are My mother and My brothers? Here are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does God’s will is My brother and sister and mother.” Following Christ can have an effect on how we view our family. Read Matthew 10:34-37 or Luke 12 to see the high call that Jesus is giving us. 

However, Jesus still concerned Himself with His family. For instance, in John 19:25-27, Jesus arranged for His mother to be taken care of. “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” Why? Didn’t Mary have other sons and daughters? (Mark 6:3). Regardless of the reason, He took the initiative to ensure her wellbeing. 

But why mention this at the onset of the holiday season? Because depression may occur at any time of the year, but the stress and anxiety during the months of November and December are statistically worse. There may be other emotions beyond stress that impact the holiday spirit. Things like; routines are put on hold, or there is an increased number of get-togethers (which can cause some people to feel anxious), reminders of some people in the family they no longer have, due to death, distance, or decisions. Even cold weather can bring people down. 

But as Christians, we should look for ways to be a blessing to others. There are many ways to do that, but I’m reminded of the simple, but powerful “law of Christ” mentioned in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This holiday, consider some ways you can lighten the burdens on the people you care about most. 

Veterans Day

"I thank my God every time I remember you." – Phillipians 1:3. 

"It was the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month in 1918 when the world celebrated as a treaty was signed ending what was to be "the war to end all wars" — World War I. 

"One year later, on what came to be known as Armistice Day, Americans came together to remember and honor the sacrifices of the men and women who served during the war. Soldiers who survived the war marched in parades and were honored by speeches and ceremonies recognizing their contribution to peace throughout the world. 

"Congress declared Armistice Day a national holiday in 1938. By this time, with unrest in much of the world, Americans realized World War I would not be the last war. After the Second World War, which was even bloodier than the first, Armistice Day continued to be observed. In 1954, Congress changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day to include veterans of all United States wars." (from an article on Crosswalk.com) 

Veterans Day is about recognizing those who have laid down their life so that you could have freedom, and those willing to face death for the same cause. As believers in Christ, there are tremendous parallels to a day like Veterans Day and what Christ did for us. 

Romans 5:9-10, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” 

His death brought about a deeper conviction to live according to God’s design. Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Those “ways” are modeled in Jesus. 

Jesus’ decision to do his father’s will rather than his own is what Jesus wants from us as well. Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” 

Happy Veterans Day to our men and women for following in the footsteps of our savior through your selfless service, and we honor those who gave their lives to defend our nation.

Obey the Gospel

The goal for Christians all over the world is for people to “obey the Gospel.” The word Gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term god-spell, meaning “good story.” Paul declares to the Roman Christians in Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (the good news), because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the Gospel (good news) the righteousness of God is revealed…”

The Good News IS that God is bringing salvation to the world! Therefore, it is helpful to recognize what we need salvation from before we can truly appreciate the “good news” that there’s a way to escape it. Paul continues in Romans 1:18, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness…” Ultimately, sin is what we need to be rescued from. Thankfully, part of the reason Jesus came was to reveal the truth about God’s purpose for mankind and His will on earth. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Those teachings point to a way of living, a kingdom principle that changes how I think, act, and what I focus on. Paul says in Romans 15:1-5, “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the Gospel (the good news) I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this Gospel, you are saved if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Paul continues by explaining the challenges of faith in this announcement of God’s Son as part of a new kingdom (15:50). Our belief in God’s plan to send His Son to be the king that no human has been is key in what it means to obey the Gospel.

It’s my obedience to the principles outlined in the message and actions of Jesus that allows me to be “transformed by the renewing of my mind…” that allows me to “be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” This begins the same way it did for those people on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension into heaven: repent of my old ways, and be baptized (immersed) into the life of the king, Jesus! So, I have what I need to know to “obey the good news of a new king.” Obeying the king means I “do what He says” - joyfully! (John 14:15)

James 2:8, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.” 1 John 5:3, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome…” Obeying the Gospel begins with submitting to His ways, as seen in the act of baptism, and continues in how I live out the principles of God’s kingdom. Unfortunately, many people will not accept the kingship of Christ, which has consequences… 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, 1 Peter 4:17. It must be our job to help the world to see the beauty of following a new kind of king—Jesus the Christ!