Its Still Christmas

 

For many Dec 25th is the end of the joy, the day Christmas reaches its culmination. The result after tearing through wrapping and paper is a feeling akin to melancholy, a sense of profound loss, that the holiday is over and now we are forced to face a dreary and dark winter. 

In England and many places in the world this is not the case. They celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas which begins on Dec 25th and lasts tell Jan 5th, known as Epiphany, the celebration of God becoming flesh in the person of Jesus. I think this custom is much more sound, it gets people through the New Year and allows for some more holly jolly and cheer, something we need more than ever. 

We could start some new traditions (new to us) and give gifts and help to those in need after the 25th. Certainly it is best to save the grand gift for Christmas Day, but why stop the kindness? Perhaps donate to some charity or help someone you know is in need beyond the 25th. Why does the Christmas Spirit have to end on the 25th? Why not make it last a little longer? The Apostle Paul says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Christians).” (Galatians 6:9-10) That is a directive for us from Christ’s apostle, to do good to those especially in the Family of Christ! We should not limit our charity (love in action) to a couple of holidays a year, let it become contagious! Remember that when you help and brother or sister in Christ you are helping Christ: 

“When the Son of Man (Jesus Christ, Mark 8:31-32:38) comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 

And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers (Christians, Mark 3:33-34 and John 6:401), you did it to me.' "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:31-46)

Everything we do to another Christian in kindness, charity, and help is unto Christ our Lord! When we refuse to help a brother or sister in Christ, we are rejecting not only them but the Lord in them! We must be diligent in doing good and not “grow weary,” as the apostle said. The truth is its still Christmas, and for us followers of Christ its suppose to be Christmas all year in regards to charity and helping those in need, particularly saints. Granted we must deal with charlatans and exploiters of our charity, for even Paul warned, “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.” (2 Timothy 4:14-15). We should be as Jesus said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16). That os why we should aim to help in pir priorty thise brothers and sisters in Christ we know well and branch out to those we don’t know, at least help a Christian brother or sister you know well this season, then risk helping someone who the Holy Spirit leads you via compassion to help that you don’t know. 

The Apostle James warns us that if we stop being charitable our faith is dead, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14-17). Our call to Christmas charity doesn’t end on Dec 25th, it is a calling to all year help our brothers and sisters in Christ! It’s still Christmas, so be of good cheer and help those you hold dear! Amen.