When we think about Christmas, most of us envision scenes of seasonal bliss. We imagine family gatherings like those we see on the Hallmark Christmas special. We think about friends and relatives laughing merrily, hugging freely and exchanging perfect gifts without so much as a cross word to spoil the celebration.
But let's get real.
Although Christmas can be a delightful time, when you pack a house full of sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins, add in the demands and expectations of the season, you're going to experience some irritations. You're going to face some disagreements. You're going to have some opportunities to get impatient.
That's why I want to encourage you now, before you load the packages in the car and head to Grandma's or Aunt Sally's house for Christmas dinner, to brush up on your love walk.
Get your spirit primed and ready so that when those challenges come (say, you're walking barefoot through the house some night, and you step on one of the Lego's you gave your nephew for Christmas) instead of snapping at someone, you can just smile and let the love flow.
It's important for you to do that. Do you know why?
God's love is what people need most from you. Not the kind of love that goes around toting a Bible under its arm and saying "Praise the Lord" at every opportunity so people will know how spiritual you are. But the kind of love that genuinely cares about people. The kind of love that is sensitive to their feelings, that wants to help them and give to them without wanting anything in return.
That is the kind of love Jesus was born to bring to the earth.
God impressed that fact on me deeply a few years ago. I had been reading the Christmas story from the book of Matthew and God gave me the sweetest vision. In my heart, I saw the baby Jesus with His arms outstretched in love toward humanity. It startled me to see Him, tiny as He was, reaching as if to gather all mankind in His arms because He loved them so much.
Everyone in the world is searching for that kind of unconditional, divine love. Your relatives. Friends. The clerks at the shopping mall. Everyone! And if you're a born again child of God, you're a carrier of it.
You may not feel like it at times, but you are! For the Bible says, "God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).
"Well, Sister Lynne, I know the Bible says that. But sometimes I just don't feel very loving."
That's true of all of us, at times. But it doesn't matter. God's commandment to us remains the same no matter how we feel. He says we must love one another (John 13:34).
Start with the Word
How do you walk in love when you don't feel it? By faith, that's how! And since "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17), I encourage you spend some time during the next few weeks meditating on what the Bible says about love. Write some "love verses" down on 3 X 5 cards and read them out loud whenever you can. Keep God's Word about love in your mouth and in your heart.
That will help you start flowing in love. I know it will because I've done it myself. There have been times when I had scriptures from 1 Corinthians 13 posted all over my house. I put them in the kitchen and by the phone. I put them in all the places where I was most frequently tempted to be unloving.
Personally, when I'm meditating on love, I like to use the Amplified version of the Bible because it speaks more clearly and specifically than any other version.
Of course every single attribute of love is extremely important. But since we can't possibly cover them all here, let's focus in on a just a few aspects. Let's emphasize some things about love we will especially need to remember this season.
1. Love Endures and Is Patient and Kind
As believers, most of us have learned to endure. We've learned to fulfill our responsibilities and do what we should do. But it's possible to endure without being patient and kind.
For example, you may fix Christmas dinner at your house every year. You may set a beautiful table and cook the best food. But then you may be tempted to start griping. I don't know why I always have to do this, you think. Some of these other relatives could offer their house every once in a while. I'm fed up with having to work my fingers to the bone while everybody else sits around and watches football!
Love doesn't think (or talk) that way. When you're walking in love, you don't constantly evaluate the situation to see if you're being overlooked, overworked or under-appreciated. You just keep on enduring, giving and serving with a sweet, patient attitude.
2. Love Is not Rude
Sometimes we get so lofty in our ideas about love that we forget the simple fact that love is courteous, not rude. To be rude simply means to be rough or unmannerly. It's easy to be that way at Christmas - not just to strangers, but to family too.
We need to simply change this way of behavior. We need to be gentle and considerate - especially to those at home who can sometimes try your patience more than anybody else! You must then overcome your personality with the love of God. Get into the Word and let it change you.
3. Love Is Not Touchy
I'll be honest with you. When I first read that love is not touchy, fretful or resentful, and that it pays no attention to a suffered wrong, I thought I might as well give up. I was the touchiest person you've ever met. I'd spent my whole life not only noticing when someone wronged me, but storing up those wrongs and remembering them year after year.
When Mac and I first married, for example, he called me "Waterworks" because I'd get my feelings hurt and cry so often. One thing he did that always upset me was forget my birthday. To me that was a terrible offense because when I was growing up, my family treated every birthday like a major event.
I became so offended and resentful about it that I would start planning days in advance about how I was going to act on my birthday. By the time it arrived (and he forgot it, which I knew he would) I knew just what to do.
I'd walk into the kitchen in the morning and slam his breakfast down on the table. Then at lunch I'd fix something for him, leave it wrapped in foil on the table and go into the bedroom before he got home. When he'd come back to find me, I'd have all the blinds closed and be sobbing on the bed.
One time I did that and he said, "What's the matter? Is it your birthday or something?"
I'm telling you, I had being touchy developed to a fine art!
But by the Word and power of Almighty God, I've gotten over that and I know if I can do it, you can too!
You need to be aware in advance, though, that during the Christmas holidays you're sure to have some opportunities to be touchy. For example, you might spend all day making your special stuffing for the turkey just to have your husband say, "You know dear, next year I ought to give you my mother's recipe for stuffing. It's really very good."
So determine now what you're going to do when that happens. Decide that instead of telling him if he likes his mother's cooking so much, he can just go live with her...you'll turn around, open the cabinet door and read the 3 X 5 card taped there. "Love is not touchy, fretful or resentful. It pays no attention to a suffered wrong."
Then you'll smile at your husband and say, "You know, honey. I believe I will call your mother and get her recipe. She is a great cook!"
Your Emotions Will Fall in Line
Let me warn you. The first few times you do that, you may still be growling with irritation on the inside. But if you'll stick with it, if you'll keep walking by faith, fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit and feeding your heart with God's Word about love, eventually your feelings will change.
Your emotions will start lining up with your spirit and you'll be able to sense divine love flowing through you. Instead of making yourself act in love, you'll find yourself wanting to do it.
Love is usually expressed in little ways. It's through small acts of love that we're able to be the biggest blessing to those around you.
You know, sometimes as Christians we think we have to preach at people. We think we have to give them scriptures so they'll know about Jesus. But the truth is, what will speak to them most clearly is His love in our lives.
So let your life speak this Christmas. Let it speak with patience and kindness. Let it speak gently and courteously. Let it speak at home, at work, and at family gatherings.
I guarantee you, people will stop and listen. They will hear the good news their hearts long for, not just at Christmas but all year round. They'll hear the news that God loves them...and that Love will change their lives.
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