Thanksgiving is behind us and now the focus is on Christmas! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it’s about having a grateful heart! Not about presents or about all the fun characters, it’s not all the glimmer and glamour or holiday festivities, it’s just a simple holiday of giving thanks! I try to keep that same perspective going into the Christmas season! Jesus really convicted me to keep a heart of gratitude this season.

As we just wrapped up Galatians 6 in our Graced studies until we meet again next year we have so much to meditate on! Such an awesome chapter to go into this Christmas season with. It speaks about bearing and sharing the burdens of others. When we see someone struggling we should go to them in love and help restore them, or when we’re able to bless those in need we should do so with a cheerful heart. Whenever we sow in the spirit, we reap God’s blessings. The same principle applies to the flesh. I would rather please the heart of God and receive His blessings than reap the results of my flesh.

So often we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season that we can forget the true meaning of Christmas. It’s because of that first Christmas that we have salvation today. Jesus showed us unconditional love and He wants us to extend total same kind of love to others.
All the enchantment of this holiday season is beautiful on the surface but real beauty is giving out the love of Jesus! When you reach out and bless those in need you’re blessing the heart of Jesus.

So as you are enjoying the gaiety of this season ask the Holy Spirit to keep you sensitive to the needs of others! Remember the acrostic JOY ~ Jesus, Others, You!