I have been called gullible… naive… sheltered… innocent… too trusting… and the list goes on. I get it. It’s just the way I have chosen to live. I choose to believe the best in people till they prove me wrong… and even then I believe there is hope for them to change. Maybe that’s why I enjoy the movie Elf so much… because that’s the way Buddy the Elf goes at life.
As part of the Elf code of culture he is taught, he treats every day like Christmas. He wakes up with joy… having worked some during the night to put smiles on the faces of those around him the next day. He is generous… with his time and his possessions. He is kind to everyone he encounters.
I suppose that’s why some people call this the most wonderful time of the year… because we all treat each other better. (My personal reason is because of the increased focus on my best Friend and Rescuer, Jesus Christ.) At Christmas, we often set aside offenses… we cut people some slack… we give more… we smile and wave more… we eat together more… we slow down a little and make memories.
Why can’t we treat every day like Christmas? Why can’t we remember the real reason for the season and live in light of that? Maybe we can’t afford to give expensive presents every day, but we can give some of our time to be with our family… or serve someone less fortunate. Maybe we can’t keep up the Christmas decorations year-round (though I wouldn’t complain or get tired of them), but we can added extra little touches to everything we do to trim them with excellence.
The point is, we CAN treat every day like Christmas… if we will. Scripture points out that the same Holy Spirit who came upon Mary, enabling her to become pregnant as a virgin, will come upon us and help us to live out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. And there is no law against living like that. No one will stop you from being kind… or generous… or thoughtful… or joyful.
People may call you some of the things they call me… or Buddy the Elf… but you’ll enjoy life a lot more, and so will those around you! So, let’s start today, and… treat every day like Christmas!
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