The following was posted on Facebook by a friend. I thought it was so good I needed to share it here and share my thoughts on a few really important points that it makes. So, here is a ‘Letter from Jesus about Christmas’.
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
At the same time, try to remember that I never asked anyone, anywhere, at any time to celebrate my birth. So it doesn’t really bother Me if the nativity scenes don’t make it out at all. Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grapevine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 – 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. (There’s something in My Book about this too–1 Tim. 2:1-2). Then follow up… It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary–especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Checkout the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love; and remember:
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
Jesus starts by telling us that it is OK to celebrate Christmas, but if we are going to use the Holidays, and in particular Christmas to recognize and reflect on His birth, we need to get along with one another and love one another. Quit condemning and judging those who don’t celebrate Christmas. Quit complaining about whether people say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. Quit bickering about whether the city you live in allows a public display of the Nativity or not. Don’t worry over what others call the season or whether there is a Christmas tree or a holiday tree. Just get over whatever is bugging you about Christmas and how the public reflects on it and love everyone. That’s what Jesus would do.
With that said, it also goes the other way. There are those of you that don’t celebrate Christmas. Don’t worry about others and how they observe Christmas. Jesus is just concerned with where our hearts are. We just need to love Him and love others. Don’t take away the joy others receive from however they observe their Christmas or their holidays. Jesus just wants our love, however we show it.
The list is some good ways to share the love of Jesus. Hopefully they make us think of how we can share His love over the holidays.
Remember it’s not just specific times of the year we should reflect on Jesus birth, His life, or His death. Make Him the center of your life everyday of the year. That’s what Jesus really wants from us and it’s the most important thing we can do. So, have a blessed Christmas, holidays or whatever it is you celebrate this year.
An Everyday Freedom 