Spirit of Christmas must continue

Published 11:37 am Friday, January 2, 2009

What is wrong with me? Christmas is over, and I find myself still listening to Christmas music on MAGIC FM 97.9.

I ask myself, “Why?”

All the holiday activities and responsibilities left me exhausted to the point that every cell in my body cried out for rest.

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However, there was a mystery taking place within me. There was something within me wanting to hold onto this grand holiday. There was a feeling of regret that it was over.

There was a hope that the goodwill expressed during this holiday and the festive and warm emotions that this holiday produced would continue.

In C.S. Lewis’ book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” the land of Narnia had not experienced Christmas for years because a wicked witch had taken over the kingdom. Narnia had also fallen into a permanent winter.

But thank goodness, Aslan, the lion, regained control of Narnia. The sun began to shine again. The snow began to melt. Springtime burst forth victoriously. The land became warm and green. The beauty, the smells, the sounds, and the wonderful emotions of springtime ruled.

And, yes, Christmas began to be celebrated again.

We all hope for a white Christmas; however, Christmas has more to do with spring than winter. Christmas has to do with life not death. It has to do with warmth not cold. It has to do with the wonderful feelings produced by spring — not the depressed feelings of winter.

Then I thought, “The spirit of Christmas should continue everyday of the new year. The peace that Christmas gives is not just for a season but for everyday. The joy that Christmas gives is not just for a season but for everyday. The goodwill that Christmas gives is not just for a season but for everyday. Yes, the spirit of Christmas should continue throughout the new year.

“Impossible,” you say.

Why? Jesus Christ has come. Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

That’s the answer. It is this new and abundant life that Christ gives that is the spirit of Christmas to everyone who believes.

Have you believed?

“The Polar Express” has become a Christmas classic. It is about a boy who does not believe in Santa.

The Polar Express comes by his house one night and takes him to the North Pole. While there, he witnesses all the activities that take place in that magical land.

The evidence of belief in Santa is that you can hear the bells of Christmas.

While at the North Pole the boy is given the first gift of Christmas. He takes one of the bells from Santa’s sleigh. He puts it into his robe pocket that has a hole in it. The bell falls out.

After the boy gets home, he and his family members meet in the living room on Christmas Day to open presents. A box is opened and the bell is taken out.

The boy puts it up to his ear, and he hears the jingling sound and a smile lights up his face. His mother says, “Oh, what a shame. The bell doesn’t work.”

Have you heard the spiritual bells? If so you are a believer — not in Santa but in Jesus. The bells are ringing. If you will believe, you will hear and be saved. You will experience the spirit of Christmas and will with other believers keep the spirit of Christmas alive this new year.

James Kearns is pastor at Baldknob Church.