With the sacred Holy Day (holiday) of Christmas upon us, we know that some family gatherings will be picture perfect, while others will cause unkind memories and related emotions to surface. Neither group started out in their current status and both may change from what we presently see. So how did they get to such a wonderful or agonizing result? Was it due to luck (which word is not mentioned in holy writ), or following time-tested habits that used to be commonplace in Christianity?

Not everyone believes in Jesus Christ, or that there even is a spiritual side to life. Even those that do accept the reality of a Heavenly Father and his Son, are reminded, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). Only when are actions parallel our beliefs in our divine potential will we truly succeed in the spiritual sector of life.

At this hallowed time of year, do not each of us feel an unmistakable discerning that there is something wonderful “in the air” even when we are unable to give voice to such happiness? Most people sense that atmosphere in their own unique way, but it’s hard to deny the reality of those sacred emotions, and the positive results we see between fellow beings. It is as if the habits of being a Christian are easier to live by, due to assistance from above.

The weight-loss guru Jenny Craig once said, to be successful, we must do the right things each day. That wisdom applies to every other part of our life. It’s so easy to be amazed when we watch the stellar performances of Olympic athletes and not being aware of all the hours and years of training that was necessary to reach that apex. So why wouldn’t persistent spiritual habits also bear positive fruits?

The potential to forgive seems to be easier during this time of year, but it is one of the hardest to practice, especially when we don’t feel we are the problem, or otherwise should initiate that action. Christ told us in the Lord’s Prayer, ” … forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.” In the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” who can forget Jimmy Stewart being mad and yelling at his family, yet when he goes out the door, one of his children comes to Donna Reed and asks if they should pray for daddy. Her appropriate reply, even though she had been treated harshly, was; “Yes, pray for daddy real hard.” What miracle would happen if all parents taught their offspring to pray and forgive!

In First Corinthians, chapter 13, the apostle Paul writes of the necessity and attributes of charity. Verses 4 through 6 read (KJV), “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in inquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” He reminds us too, that charity is the most important trait to strive and pray for.

Jesus Christ set a perfect example for us, one that is not easy, but anything in life or eternity that is worthwhile is never easy, until spiritual habits become the norm for us after years of practice. So if you sense something missing (and we all should) in our understanding of the importance of Christmas and our hopes for a sacred one at that, some introspection in relation to following the Baby born in Bethlehem, will be part of the remedy.

If you’re still in doubt, as to what changes in your thoughts and actions are needed, imagine the first Christmas, the simplicity of it, yet the sacredness of that holy birth. All the other visual items unrelated to the Christ Child, that surround us during this month, pale in comparison to what matters.

May each of you and your families have renewed desire to grow in spiritual habits that will heal both you, your family, friends and society. Merry Christmas!

— Lindquist is from Balaton