Are you in the Christmas spirit? Holidays quickly become routine. Remember John Grisham’s little story about Skipping Christmas? A husband and wife decide they are going on a sunny cruise instead of putting up lights, a tree, and a giant snowman. But the forces of the community pull on them like holiday gravity. Everyone wants them to conform to the pattern. But what is the purpose behind the pattern?
In ancient Israel, the people of God celebrated times of fasting and feasting. Over hundreds of years, they became habits, hard to break. When the people returned to Jerusalem from exile, some wondered, so they asked, “Is this the time to fast or to feast?” God spoke through Zechariah to question their motives in celebrating. Was it really for the Lord or for themselves?
Good question, right? Why do we do what we do? Zechariah offered an alternative: God wants his people to show justice, mercy, compassion, and kindness to widows, orphans, and foreigners. I hate to ask, but if this is what God is looking for, how are we doing? The best of Christmas is still about giving to others and serving them. This year we have guests in our gates who may find our traditions confusing. They may not know the difference between Thanksgiving and Christmas, unless we show them. So how do we do that? By being kind. It is always the right time to love others in Jesus’ name. When we do, they may want to hear our message.
