This Is Christmas

It is incredible how quickly a year has almost gone by. By and large, the world has forgotten what Christmas is all about except for merry-making and lots of commercial shopping. I mean what would it be like if everyone would help to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, help the poor and stop the wars regardless or creed, status or race. After having achieved all these and then we can sit down and argue about religion all day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf8db3Vz95I (This Is Christmas - Celine Dion)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE (Mary Did You Know? - Pentatonix

They tell you that all women and also men should look very slim or need to beautify through various ways including botox and plastic surgery but one one is interested to upgrade their character of their soul even if you provide free lessons. What if one were to stare into a mirror and see your character instead of your face or body? Scary isn't it? Even when people go to a place of worship, they go and listen to what they wanted to hear rather than the truth. They are holy books for you to read up on your own but unless you have the purity of heart, all will be futile. What most people need to deal with is their heart and that is the truth. Anything you worship - money or any other material things including people, they become your god. That is idolatry. If you merely focus on money, then you will only spend time on occasions and with people for economic reasons. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJcPVB-we7g (The Christmas Shoes - NewSong).

Humility

One of the hardest attributes to achieve as a person is humility. Many others are gifts. If you are highly intelligent, you have a gift but how you choose to use your intelligence is another thing. To be humble is a choice. You need to choose it and not be led by your ego. "Do not be selfish or try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Do not look out only for your own interests but take an interest in others too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." - Philippians 2:3-5. Now this looks simple but it is very hard to achieve. Humility comes from the heart. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aWEhNqnjuY (Your Heart - Chris Tomlin)

Purity

What do you do when no one is watching? Is it not true we prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love". - 2 Corinthians 6:6. That is purity and you need nothing else. Purity comes from the heart. Let all your intentions be pure.

Kindness

How kind are you? Between being right and being kind, choose kindness and you will always be right! "Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart." - Proverbs 3:3.

Patience

Patience is a virtue. "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. - Galatians 5:22. Is this not all we need? Patience is a virtue in every aspects of life. Everything will find its time. 

Understanding

Rare are those who are understanding. Humans tend to be judgemental or even self-righteous. "Tune your ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding.'' - Proverbs 2:2. Many will say that they understand but they don't. Develop an understanding mind.

Sacrifice

How many could you find through observation of people who could and are willing to make sacrifice. A simple example is do you contact people only when you need them or call them only during your free time? Or do you free time to contact people no matter how busy you are? Do you sacrifice time or material things for others? Some folks live such a selfish life where it is all about themselves and never others. If you can think of others first and act in that manner, you would have achieved something great. "Greater love has no one than this - to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:13. Many are focused on getting instead of giving. Watch this video of lovely children who understood. All is not lost. There is hope. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnZfRh_7tzw (Metro Atlanta Boys and Girls CLubs)

Forgiveness

Human nature is unforgiving as if they themselves have no faults but to forgive is not only good to those who offended you but it is very good and the only thing you need for yourselves. No point hanging on to nothing and toss and turn in bed feeding yourselves poison everyday. "Make allowance for each other's faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you so you must forgive others." - Colossians 3:13. Forgive them anyway but remember the bastard's name. Haha.

Integrity

''People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked path will be exposed." - Proverbs 10:9. Integrity is another one of those that is not a gift but a choice. Choose wisely and always walk tall. Be a giant among Man.

Love

If you have experienced life then you must have experienced love. If you believe there is a God, then you must believe that God is a good God and a God of love. Because the absence of love is hatred just as the absence of light is darkness. You cannot make darkness darker but you can lighten up the darkness and make it brighter. They say love conquers all. "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.'' - 1 John 14:16. ''And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love''. - 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Love conquers all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6yQzQc0lnA (Power Of Your Love - Geoff Bullock)

Faith

Walk in faith. Faith in yourself and faith in God. Never blind faith to men. ''By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.'' - Hebrews 11:2. ''Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen''. Hebrews 11:1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK-MBCZ5K5Q (Oceans - Hillsong)

In life, there will be troubles. Even if you do not find them, they will sometimes find you. It is better if they are not self-created. In these circumstances, sometimes you may find yourselves helpless. All you need is to remain calm, be still and sometimes all you need is faith. When life is showing up roses, no one needs God. When all else fails, that is the real test of your faith. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3wwWFsSlNQ (Still - Hillsong)

I would also like to remind you that everyone is fighting a battle in life. We may not know about it. So be nice and be good starting this Christmas and help raise the broken to life. You do not need a religion to know that. Your heart surely has the capacity for it. Leave some space for all the above. Empty we come and empty we shall return. You may say a thousand things to people but the most powerful leadership is the power of leadership by example. I shall be your vessel for the world to see your love in me. Let others wonder in amazement how is it that you are special. 

We are all nothing but pieces of broken vessels in need of mending, mercy and love purely by the grace of God. Leave your ego behind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiyYoe678yI (Broken Vessels - Hill song).

You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. ''You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.'' - Matthew 5:14. ''In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father in Heaven.'' - Matthew 5: 16.

''Then the angel said to them. DO NOT BE AFRAID. For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. - Luke 2:10.

I do not know about  you. But as for me, I live a simple life and have no needs. Maybe two - lots of laughter and sleep. Hahaha. Sleep like a baby and sleep in heavenly peace. 

May you be blessed with peace and joy this Christmas and beyond. Merry Christmas!