Scriptures teach us about many groups of people. Sometimes
they got along, other times there was war and contention. In an ideal society,
we wouldn’t have those -ites (class distinction, gender disparity, fear of
different religions, etc.). One of the things I love about Christmas time is
the emphasis on family and on treating each other well. We give presents to
friends and family. We send cards to those we don’t always see or keep in touch
with and remind them that we care. We think of those who don’t have everything
they need. Essentially, we have less -ites. As a Christian, I frequently feel
bullied into a box that says that I don’t accept other people or that I think I
am better than others. I sure hope that isn’t true. The Christ that I believe
in teaches me to love everyone. He asks me to be kind and to love others. Others
might disagree with me, pray differently, not pray at all, but the Christ I
believe in asks me to see them as my brothers and sisters and treat them
accordingly. I’m okay if we disagree, brothers and sisters squabble, but at the
end of the day they are also fiercely loyal to one another. To me, that is the
Spirit of Christmas. I consider myself a very fortunate girl that I have some
incredible humans in my life. Just this week I drank hot chocolate and looked
at Christmas lights with friends (who rescued me from a dead battery thanks to
the 4 degree cold). Then I made gingerbread houses with some other friends and
their great girls, and got snuggle time with my favorite little man. We don’t
all think or believe the same but we all care about each other. I want more of
that in my life and it was one of my goals this year to cultivate that. It is
an amazing thing to love others just for the sake of loving them. My wish for you this Christmas is the same in your life.
More love, less -ites.
