Christmas is nearing and I can tell by the Christmas music on the radio stations, the decorations at people’s houses, the multitude of ads urging me to shop, and the cards that are beginning to arrive at my house. I love Christmas! I love the music, the lights, the cards, the well wishes. However, it is easy to fall prey to the commercialism that abounds and forget what Christmas is really about – the Good News of Jesus Christ!
My Sunday School class is studying the book of Philippians and I am reminded again of how encouraging this book is for living a life focused on Christ. The apostle Paul urges us in Philippians to get beyond ourselves and our circumstances and challenges us to live a life dedicated to Christ.
Here is a verse in Philippians (1:27) that impressed me this week:
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
I had to ask myself – “Do I conduct myself in a manner worthy of the Good News of Christ?”
- Am I helping people in need?
- Am I keeping Christ’s priorities in my life?
- Am I spending time connecting to God through prayer, Scripture, fellowship with other believers?
- Am I vocal about the Good News of Christ?
- Is my life characterized by the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, self-control?
Christmas is the perfect time to share the Good News with others – both verbally and with our actions. I am seeking ways to do that through God’s empowerment, direction, and love – with my family, with my neighbors, with college students, with friends, with church members. I encourage you to do the same.
