THE CHRISTMAS TEN COMMANDMENTS * Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas shopping list.
* Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.
* Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.
* Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.
* Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.
* Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.
* Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.
* Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
* Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with those around you.
WAYS WE ARE DIFFERENT THIS CHRISTMAS
* Last Christmas we were thinking about all the things we didn’t have; this Christmas we are thinking about all the things we do have.
* Last Christmas we were placing wreaths on the doors of our homes; this Christmas we are placing wreaths on the graves of our heroes.
* Last Christmas we were letting our sons play with toy guns; this Christmas we are teaching them that guns are not toys.
* Last Christmas we were counting our money; this Christmas we are counting our blessings.
* Last Christmas we were lighting candles to decorate; this Christmas we are lighting candles to commemorate.
* Last Christmas we paid lip service to the real meaning of the holidays; this Christmas we are paying homage to it.
* Last Christmas we were digging deep into our bank accounts to find money to fly home for the holidays; this Christmas we are digging deep into our souls to find the courage to do so.
* Last Christmas we were trying not to let annoying relatives get the best of us; this Christmas we are trying to give the best of ourselves to them.
* Last Christmas we were thinking about the madness of the holidays; this Christmas we are thinking about the meaning of them.
* Last Christmas we were getting on one another’s nerves; this Christmas we are getting on our knees.
* Last Christmas we were giving thanks for gifts from stores; this Christmas we are giving thanks for gifts from God.
* Last Christmas we were wondering how to give our children all the things that money can buy; this Christmas we are wondering how to give them all the things money can’t (peace, security). * * Last Christmas we were thinking about all the pressure we were under at the office; this Christmas we are thinking about all the people who no longer have an office to go to.
* Last Christmas we were thinking how good it would feel to be affluent; this Christmas we are thinking how good it feels to be alive.
* Last Christmas we thought angels were in heaven; this Christmas we know they are right here on earth.
* Last Christmas we were contemplating all the changes we wanted to make in the new year; this Christmas we are contemplating all the changes we will have to make in this new reality.
* Last Christmas we believed in the power of the pocketbook; this Christmas we believe in the power of prayer.
* Last Christmas we were sharing—spreading—listening to gossip; this Christmas we are sharing—spreading—listening to the Gospel.
* Last Christmas we were complaining about how much of our earnings went to taxes; this Christmas we comprehend that freedom isn’t free.
* Last Christmas we valued things that were costly; this Christmas we value things that are holy.
* Last Christmas the people we idolized wore sports uniforms; this Christmas the people we idolize wear police, firefighter and military uniforms.
* Last Christmas peace on earth was something we prayed for on Sunday morning; now it’s something we pray for every day.
CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION
* I BELIEVE that Christmas is more than a time for parties and ornaments; it is a time for remembering Christ and the incarnation of God’s love in human flesh.
* I BELIEVE there are gifts more important than the ones under the Christmas tree, the things we teach our children, the way we share ourselves with friends, and the industry with which we set about reshaping the world in our time.
* I BELIEVE that the finest carols are often sung by the poorest voices; from hearts made warm by the wonder of the season.
* I BELIEVE in the angel’s message that we should not be afraid—that the Child of Bethlehem is able to overcome all anxieties and insecurities.
* I BELIEVE in prayer and quietness as a way of appropriating Christmas—that if I wait in silence I will experience the presence of the one born in the manger, for he lives today as surely as he lived then.
*I BELIEVE in going away from Christmas as the wise men went: "another way." I want to be different when these days are past—more centered, more thoughtful, more caring.
**AND I BELIEVE GOD will help me. Amen
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