Having a MERRY Christmas
By Steve Backlund
The word “merry” means
Happy and showing enjoyment
Full of gaiety (the state or quality of being lighthearted or cheerful)
Mirthful (full of laughter, humor, or happiness)
I like thinking about this when I say “Merry Christmas” to someone. Because our words are powerful, we help create these realities in people’s lives and environments.
Using the letters in the word CHRISTMAS I want to share nine keys to increase your own merriment during the Christmas season:
Care for others - “Give and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38). As we find ways to bless and help others, we will participate in the true Christmas spirit of God’s love. His gift to us.
Humble yourself - “God resists the proud, but grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Grace flows to us when we acknowledge that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Rejoice - “For behold, I bring good tidings of great joy which will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). As believers in Jesus, we rejoice in the greatest gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Influence - “Now when (the shepherds) had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child” (Luke 2:17). Christmas is CHRIST-mas. We are blessed to use our influence to help people understand He is the reason for the season.
Simplify - “There was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). Let’s say “no” to Christmas perfectionism, people pleasing, and unnecessary activities to really embrace the greatness of the season.
Thank - “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Truly, a merry heart is a thankful heart. Increasing thanks to God and people is a doorway into more joy.
Muse - “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). To muse means to become absorbed in thought; to think about something carefully and thoroughly. Meditating on the Christmas story will open up life-changing revelations to us.
Adore - “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him” (Matthew 2:11). Songs like “O Holy Night” will spark a deep adoration and emotional response to Jesus.
Smile - “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance” (Proverbs 15:13). Choosing to smile is more powerful than we know in uplifting the spirits of others and is a key component of being a light in the world (Matthew 5:14).
MERRY Christmas from Wendy, me, and the Igniting Hope team.
