"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
As I was driving to work this morning listening to this scripture it hit me that this time of year is an even greater opportunity to be a witness. Many view Christmas time as a special time of year even if they aren't Christian and have no faith in the baby born in the manger or the man who walked this earth teaching peace and good will towards man. It's simply a time of spending time with loved ones and getting caught up in the joy of the season. I can't help but think that God planned it that way, that he orchestrated this holiday season as a way for mankind to show one another compassion if only for a brief season and to bring all of us together when otherwise we often are divided. How many this season participated in food drives, toys for tots, adopt a families, etc? Amazing how during the Christmas season, moreso than any other time during our calendar year, we pull together to help one another in need. "They will do even greater things..." It truly is a great thing to be able to help someone who is struggling a bit more than we are isn't it?
But there is a flip side to this goodwill attitude isn't there? The side of man, the flesh, that comes out during this time of year as well. You see them or maybe are "them" while out shopping to find little Timmy that toy he's been asking for weeks for or picking up the last of those chocolate chips to make Grandma's favorite treats. Everyone seems to be in your way or the lines in the stores are too long and you have no time to be wasting just standing there. Have you ever stopped to ask how you can be a witness of the Christ child at that very moment instead of growing impatient in line? Everyone else is in line too, everyone else is standing there with a million and one things to do as well so what better time than to let the light of Christ shine through you instead of the darkside of man.
I recently went shopping to pick up items for my annual Christmas baking at the local grocery store. It was busy as expected and the shelves not always exactly stocked with what I needed but it wasn't too bad. As I was putting butter in my shopping cart for those tasty treats a young mother came through pushing her cart and obviously very stressed. She was trying to quickly get through the store with her newborn screaming at the top of her lungs. As she walked by me trying to quiet the little one, I jokingly said maybe she's just cold coming through the dairy aisle. She looked at me and in desperation said, "I don't know what to do I can't seem to make her stop crying, I don't know what she needs and everyone keeps starring at me thinking that I do." In a second my heart went out to this young lady. She had a million and one things to do as well I imagine but she also had a baby at that very moment demanding her time and attention and she was losing the battle to keep it together. I had the choice at that very moment to be about my own business or I could choose to let the light of Christ shine through me. I chose the later. I didn't know what her little one needed, but I could take a moment and talk with her. As we talked the little one began to calm down along with mom and within a few moments the little one was sound asleep. "They will do even greater things..." you may be thinking that's not a great thing, but I think at that moment the young mother who was going to be able to finish her shopping knowing her baby was resting, that it was pretty great.
How are you glorifying God this season with your actions and attitude? Are you being the light of Christ or are you too busy to stop and be a witness? Is this a season about you and your needs or is this a season about a babe born in a manger who grew up to be a man who walked this earth teaching peace and good will towards man.
Merry Christmas,
Heather
