Be a Christmas Star!
These days it seems that everyone wants to be some sort of star: a rock star, movie star, sports super star, or an all-star in anything. Don't feel guilty if that describes you; it's only natural that we want to be good at and shine in some area. How about being a Christmas Star?
You may ask, "Don't we already have a Christmas Star; the North Star that the Three Wise Men followed when they found the baby Jesus?" That's exactly the kind of star I am talking about. When people look at you, do they find Jesus? You know, living in your heart, but shining bright for all to see?
Christmas is a wonderful time, and thankfully it is the widespread celebration of Jesus' birthday even though not everyone realizes what they are celebrating. Unfortunately, many believers don't truly grasp the meaning of the holiday. It's easy to get caught up in the commercial aspects and festivities of Christmas.
How can we become Christmas Stars? None of us will ever be a perfect star, but we can strive for immeasurable joy by doing our best to shine bright so that others, like the Three Wise Men, will find Jesus in us. Let's use the word S-T-A-R.
Sentiments
What are your Christmas sentiments? What touches your heart during the holidays?
If getting a new car or tennis bracelet brings a joyful tear to your eye, or if not receiving the gift that topped your "wish list" turns you into the Grinch, your sentiments probably revolve more around yourself than they do Christ or others. You may need to adjust your sentiments.
Christmas is the birth of the Savior of the world. Genuine Christmas sentiments are eloquently expressed by Simeon as he cradled the baby Jesus in his arms:
Even though we've not seen Jesus in the flesh, He lives in our hearts. In His physical absence we are His lights to the world. Our sentiments should shine like a Christmas Star.
Treasure
What do you treasure during the holidays? Do you treasure the biggest and brightest tree you can find? Is the best thing you can imagine involve getting everything on your Christmas list or throwing the best holiday party on the block? If so, you need a new treasure map.
The treasure chest we seek should be filled with things like doing for others, nurturing relationships with family and friends, giving as opposed to receiving, and remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)
If we seek the true treasures of Christmas we will accumulate a wealth that cannot be measured by earthly standards. Let the true treasures of your heart be those that shine like a Christmas Star.
Attitude
Do you scowl like the Grinch or Scrooge during the holidays? Do you put too much emphasis on the wrong things for all the wrong reasons?
Several years ago I remember a church choir opposed the plans the new choir director had for the annual Christmas cantata. She had secured the use of another churches' facilities for the program because it was larger, had better acoustics and sound equipment, and she felt it would greatly enhance everyone's efforts. Some choir members displayed awful attitudes because they only wanted to perform in their own sanctuary, period. They got so ugly that they made the choir director cry.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5.)
There was nothing wrong with any of the choir members opinions, but the attitudes that framed and spewed them were uncalled for, ungracious, and hurtful. Our attitudes should reflect Jesus to the world. They should display a true Christian spirit, not the "bah-humbug" attitude that squelches the joy of the season.
Relationship
What is your relationship quotient at Christmastime? Do you favor some people over others? Are you more worried about appearances instead of touching hearts? Are the holidays about using our assumptions to assigning motives to other people's hearts?
This is perhaps one of the most difficult things we struggle with; it's like untangling the lights that have somehow gotten all knotted up since being so carefully packed in the decoration box last year. Relationships often resemble Christmas lights that are hopelessly tangled; an unrealized thing of beauty.
Judging others often shines the spotlight on the smallest things that cause us offense. "Why did they give me such a cheap gift; I spent a fortune on them." Maybe you wonder why someone declined an invitation to your party, or you get huffy and puffy because you didn't get invited to a party. So what; forgive those who offend you. Forgiveness is one of the best gifts we can give away.
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. (Matthew 7:12)
Is dissecting everyone's motives worth taking the focus off of Jesus? I'm not denying that tacky motives exist and rear their their ugly little heads during the holidays, but what are we going to do about it? How we handle it is a whole separate topic, but we shouldn't let others dictate how we approach Christmas in our own homes or hearts. Life is too short, and Jesus is too important to shine a spotlight on others when it should be pointing at Him.
Don't be too hard on yourself if you aren't the perfect Christmas Star...that is Jesus' role as our Lord, Savior, and Sacrifice. All we need to do is be the best reflection of Him here on earth. If we hold the right sentiments in our hearts, seek the right treasures, display godly attitudes, and approach our relationships without offense and with forgiveness, we will be true Christmas Stars. Shine on!!
(c)2009 Shona Neff
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