The True Spirit of Christmas.
I just love this time of year, don’t you?
With all of the emphasis on shopping and gifts and getting, it can be hard to settle into the true spirit of Christmas, which is all about giving.
As an artist, you have been given unique talents and gifts by your creator. Christmas is a beautiful time of year to honor those gifts, and to find ways to give back and bring joy to others!
Giving Over Getting.
A few Christmases ago, one of my dearest friends, Linda, was suffering from the effects of lung cancer. As her illness continued to take a toll on her, we knew she didn’t have much longer to live.
We thought about what we could do for her to help her feel loved and cared for. She was always so supportive of my sisters and I and loved to listen to us sing, so we got together and headed over to her house to do what we know how to do best.
As we sang Christmas songs and her favorite songs about Christ, it invited the most beautiful, peaceful spirit into their home, and I was reminded of a scripture I had read that week:
‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me’ (Matthew 25:40).
I could feel the most tender love for Linda and for our Savior as we sat under the glow of her Christmas tree, knowing that our small act of service for her was just as if we were doing it for Him.
That was the last time that I saw Linda before she passed away. I’ll never forget that sweet feeling of being able to use our musical gifts to bring someone I loved dearly joy in her time of sorrow. My sisters, my mom, and I felt closer as we served together.
I know that as we choose to use our gifts to provide meaningful service, we will find happiness and feel of God’s love for us and for others!
This feeling can last all year long.
I invite you to think of someone who might need a helping hand, a hand written letter, or a Christmas song this month and find a way to serve them. Together we can light the world this Christmas by taking care of one person at a time.