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Keeping Christmas

December 23, 2020 By Jean Wise

Are you willing…
To forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you?
To ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world?
To put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance and your changes to do a little more than your duty in the foreground?
To see the that men and women are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy?
To own up to the fact that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going  to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life?
To close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness?
Are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing..
To stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children?
To remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old?
To stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough?
To bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts?
To try to understand what those who live in the same home with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you?
To trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you?
To make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open?
Are you willing to do those things, even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing…
To believe that love is the strongest thing in the world, stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death – and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem two thousand years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

Then you keep Christmas.
And if you can keep it for a day, why not always?
But you can never keep it alone.

Henry Van Dyke

May you keep Christmas in your heart every day and may you know the presence of God every moment. Merry Christmas, dear friends.

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Filed Under: prayer, Seasonal

Comments

  1. Mr White says

    December 28, 2020 at 11:28 am

    This is amazing Jean!
    Your words touched my heart.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    Stay safe

  2. blankNancy Ruegg says

    December 23, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    Wow. If those were the criteria, I would NOT get to participate. Praise God for his immeasurable grace that invites me to the celebration in spite of my imperfections! Thank you for sharing this, Jean.

    • blankJean Wise says

      December 24, 2020 at 12:36 pm

      It’s a tough standard and ideas to ponder and try, that is for use. Merry Christmas, Nancy!

  3. blankPat Forsman says

    December 23, 2020 at 11:07 am

    Thank you jean…..
    Have a blessed christmas….nice to know were not quarantined from.Jesus…

    • blankJean Wise says

      December 24, 2020 at 12:37 pm

      May you have a wonderful Christmas too!

  4. blankMartha Jane Orlando says

    December 23, 2020 at 8:35 am

    Amen, Jean! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    • blankJean Wise says

      December 24, 2020 at 12:37 pm

      Tell Danny Merry Christmas too. Thanks for your friendship

  5. blankLinda Stoll says

    December 23, 2020 at 8:15 am

    Christmas blessings to you, dear Jean! Thanks for guiding me closer to the Lord through your thoughtful reflections.

    Bless you!

    • blankJean Wise says

      December 24, 2020 at 12:38 pm

      May you have a great Christmas and new year too, dear Linda!

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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