Christmas time is beautiful. There is so much to be grateful for with the birth of the Christ Child. It’s a time my family and friends look forward to every year.
We gather, we celebrate, we laugh, we love, we pray, and we talk.
It’s essential we catch up with each other about our busy lives, our whereabouts, our plans, our goals, and our thoughts on the year gone by, along with the upcoming one. With all the warmth of family and friends there can sometimes be the cold reality that unkind thoughts and words will be exchanged and tensions will run high. Why does this seem to happen? Why do chords of constraint seem to be struck when family is gathered together?
In these instances, I remind myself to Be the Christ not the Crowd.
I often tell my children this simple mantra especially when they will be gathered in any group setting, activity, or in any situation that could trigger negative talk about another person. The temptation is real. It is contagious. It stems from a group mentality when one person speaks a hint of an unkind word about another and within seconds, others have joined in and the conversation is saturated with gossip and negativity. It reminds me so much of Christ’s passion- the group mentality. One person starting- “Crucify Him” with an entire crowd joining in chanting “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
In our holiday conversations it’s important to remember one negative word spoken about another can influence others and start a gossip chain that can cause hurt and resentment.
To Be the Christ means there must be a change in the direction of the conversation by being positive and kind.
We are all called to be Christ bearers and to radiate His love especially during the Christmas season. Just as the tiny babe was born in humility, we too, are called to humble ourselves with gentleness when speaking of others. In fact, our whole ideal and pattern for living is found in the humility and gentleness radiating from this tiny babe. It is important to remind ourselves that any secret subtle pride must take a backseat in order to lift others to their potential instead of criticizing or gossiping which not only inflates the ego, but also influences those around to participate in the gossip. So, as the fire is lit, the eggnog is poured, and the company starts arriving, enjoy the atmosphere of the crowd….and give them the gift of being “The Christ”!
May Christ fill your heart with His love!
