Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Why do people tend to be kinder, more pleasant and merrier around Christmas time? Is it not because, generally speaking, they believe that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ and they want to exhibit more of a Christ-like attitude, regardless of how they have lived throughout the year? While some people are humbugs, fortunately, most people do exhibit a better attitude around Christmas.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people behaved the way they did around Christmas all year long? The world would be a much better place if we held the door open for ladies, if we said “Thank you,” and “You’re welcome” more often, if we smiled more often, if we were a little more considerate of the next person, if we willingly gave to each other more, if we went to worship services regularly, etc. If we can live a little more like Christ around Christmas-time, why not all year long. Wouldn’t the world be a much better place for it?

Though we are not authorized in scripture to celebrate His birth as a religious holiday (holy day), Christmas is, nevertheless, a wonderful time of year! It is wonderful because it does seem to bring out the best character of men and women. Therefore, as we close out the Old year with Christmas joy and happiness and with great expectations bring in a new, exciting year, may we strive to live more like Christ each day of our lives this coming new year!

I pray God’s blessings on you and your family this Christmas and the coming New Year. May you enjoy great happiness, find success, prosper beyond your expectations, experience the fulfillment of your dreams and excel in righteousness and godly living. May God keep you under the shadow of His sheltering wings.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Eric L. Padgett