“Is the Christmas Spirit Gone?”

“THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WAS GONE FOR ANOTHER YEAR!!” the Christmas letter said. Right there in black and white, right after the line that noted the “un-decorating” of the house and just before the line that noted, “(This) Christmas won’t go down as one of the most memorable.”

Now, just what did it mean, “Christmas spirit gone for another year?”

Could it mean that
The spirit of giving had already been replaced with selfishness and greed?
The adornments were gone, but faith lived on?
The images of Santa and the Christ child had been replaced with the more familiar plants, centerpieces, coasters and candles?
The family has put on masks and managed to fake it through the obligatory gatherings not to speak to each other for another year?
The birth of God’s Son really hasn’t made a bit of difference in life?
The celebration of Christmas was o much bother and fuss it is good to be done with it for a while?

Or could it be an innocent passing remark
That marks the packing up of the decorations and has no meaning beyond that?

Oh, how I hope that the Christmas Spirit isn’t gone for another year,
Not to be brought out again
Until Wal-Mart or Target begin to say that it is time to bring it out again
Or until we begin to have our greed turned on again as we seek presents and bigger and better toys.
Or until, as if by some magic, our grumpy, sad faced critical attitudes are transformed to something more palatable to those around us.

Oh, how I hope
That the renewal of the Spirit of God, among us in the gift of Jesus our Savior, is not wasted in our “putting away the Christmas Spirit.”
That the birth of God in our midst, love showered upon us, has birthed in us new attitudes, new priorities, and new images of what we are as God’s children in this world.
That the Spirit of Christmas can transform our lives every day, all year long.
That we can be generous and warm in our response to the needs of others.
That we can see God’s love shared in all things in our lives!!

Please, oh please, when you pack away the decorations and the tinsel leave the Christmas Sprit unpacked so that this Child of God can change your life daily and through out the whole year.