The Real Christmas Spirit

Merry Christmas, dear friends.  Today is Christmas Eve and I want to discuss the real Christmas Spirit.

Today and tomorrow, I will be with family and return here later in the week.

I so pray that all of your celebrations are sweet, rich, and joyful.

However, I also know that many of you are going through the challenges of life.

Someone recently asked me…How do you keep your Christmas Spirit when your house smells like poop and your car is in the shop…and your family is not together.

Well, shortly after that our new pastor answered the question in a sermon about the real Christmas Spirit.

And, I loved his message and completely agreed with what he said.

THE REAL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: WHAT IS IT?

Many believe that the real Christmas spirit is found In Hallmark Movies.

Or in stores…or at parties…or in gift giving…or in service to others.

ALL of those are important and bring smiles for the season.

But, they are NOT the real Christmas spirit.

Hardships do not send the Christmas Spirit away….because the spirit is always with us…when we believe in Christ.

Scholars have determined there are 126 references to the HOLY SPIRIT in the Bible….yet, so many people do not understand the Holy Spirit.

Jesus called the Holy Spirit our helper, and in John 14:25-27,

He said, ²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

When we experience hardships during holiday time (or anytime for that matter), the Christmas Spirit does not go away, but is here to be our “helper.”

That is also why my happiness may be tarnished a bit at times, but my true joy is always down in my heart to stay and I am confident God never leaves me.

THE REAL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: HIS FRUITS

If you do not feel as though you know the Holy Spirit, then ask the Father Above to Show You who He is.

The more you pray and study His Word, the more you will learn of the Holy Spirit…the real Christmas Spirit…and recognize Him in your daily life.

In the book of Galatians, God shares with us about Life by the Spirit:

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^b] ¹⁵ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^c] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

On Christmas Day, and every day, the real Christmas Spirit is with us if we only ask.

And if you do not understand the Holy Spirit’s role, ask God to show you…He will answer and reveal to you the real Christmas Spirit.

Happy Birthday, Jesus…thank you for the gifts of eternal life, joy, purpose, and…..the real Christmas Spirit.

Love you all, friends, and will see you soon…Merry Christmas.

STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!

By Pamela Lutrell

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