A person only has to burst out with: "Ho, Ho, Ho," and you know instantly who they are imitating. Santa Claus, Old St. Nick, Kris Kringle, Sinter Klaas are all titles we give to the omnipresent, legendary, white-bearded bringer of Christmas gifts -- the embodiment of the spirit of giving.
But Christmas has transformed into big business. Retailers have not been selling the 'giving spirit' -- they've been selling the 'buying spirit' -- for centuries. We've forgotten what the real St. Nicholas modeled -- the gift of giving -- unselfish, spirit-filled giving.
So, how would Jesus communicate to St. Nick's highly commercialized 21st Century, garbed in red Ho, Ho, Ho, counterpart Santa Claus? If Jesus would write today's Santa Claus a letter, here's what it might say:
=======
Dear Santa:
Rather than tell you what I want for Christmas, I have the gift of an important piece of advice for you: Please -- remember who you really are! You know, the original Saint Nick and I are kindred spirits . . . we have a lot in common! We both represent unconditional giving -- and both our images have been misinterpreted and confused as time has passed. You and I, we've both been used to create guilt trips -- which was never our intention -- and people seem to think we have nothing better to do than maintain lists of good and bad behavior -- as if that were the issue at all! It is so important for you to keep your focus, and continue to do what it is you are here to do -- spread the spirit of joy and unconditional giving to the world. And by the way, you've got to stop eating all those cookies and milk treats!
Here's how I wish people would give - Unconditionally!
1. Unconditionally give of their Time
2. Unconditionally give of their Talents
3. Unconditionally give of their Treasures.
Santa, you can help people understand this message, if you remember who you really are!
====
Since Jesus is speaking to the Santa in each of us -- that part of us that really does understand the spirit of unconditional giving, but sometimes forgets -- let's see how we can take His advice to heart this holiday season!
1. Give of your time: Time is such a precious commodity. There is so much emphasis on the gadgetry and intricacy of electronics that we've actually put ourselves into a time trap! We are more pressured and rushed than we've ever been. We are consumed with what gift to buy for people who don't need anything. What if we gave the gift of our time? How many times has a loved one said to you, "I don't need a gift. Your presence is all the presents I need!" Let's believe that -- and look for ways to give the gift of our time this season.
2. Give of your Talents: What are your unique talents, and how could you use them to bring joy and love to others? Consider this: What do dolphins; pool plastic, Guinness Book of World Records, and a herdsman from Inner Mongolia have to do with giving of your talents? They all come together in a news story: The herdsman's name is Bao Xishun. At 7-foot-9, Bao was confirmed by Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest living man in the world. His arms are 41.7 inches long! Why is he important in terms of giving? It seems some dolphins had gotten seriously ill after nibbling on plastic from the edge of their pool at an aquarium. Surgical instruments could not extract the material (because of the shape of the dolphin stomach it is difficult to push instruments very far without injuring the animals), so vets decided to seek the help of Bao Xishun. He was able to reach his arm into the stomachs of the sick dolphins and remove the dangerous material! His unusual arms became the saving mechanism for the dolphins!
What are your talents -- and how can you use them to connect with others, bringing joy and love?
3. Give of your Treasures: The critical issue here is not how much money you have -- it is the generosity of your spirit in terms of what you do have. We saw a perfect example when we had lunch recently at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Mebane, NC. Our waitress was wonderful -- fabulous energy, beautiful spirit, and very skilled at her job. She created a sense of hospitality as she served us with such joy. We were led to give her an unusually large tip, in recognition of the way she served us! Upon seeing the size of her tip, she thanked us profusely -- then shared, with excitement, that she was using all her tips this week to buy things for children whose names were on the Angel Tree at the restaurant. Sure enough, we saw the tree, and when she opened her order book, there were four cut-out angels in her book. She said, "Now I can take a few more angels off the tree!"
What are your treasures -- and how can you see them from a spirit of unconditional giving? Believe us; you will be blessed many times over.
Remember what Jesus said to Santa? That is the identical message for each of us: Remember who you really are! And with that message, you will find that this Christmas, and the New Year, the best you have ever experienced!
But Christmas has transformed into big business. Retailers have not been selling the 'giving spirit' -- they've been selling the 'buying spirit' -- for centuries. We've forgotten what the real St. Nicholas modeled -- the gift of giving -- unselfish, spirit-filled giving.
So, how would Jesus communicate to St. Nick's highly commercialized 21st Century, garbed in red Ho, Ho, Ho, counterpart Santa Claus? If Jesus would write today's Santa Claus a letter, here's what it might say:
=======
Dear Santa:
Rather than tell you what I want for Christmas, I have the gift of an important piece of advice for you: Please -- remember who you really are! You know, the original Saint Nick and I are kindred spirits . . . we have a lot in common! We both represent unconditional giving -- and both our images have been misinterpreted and confused as time has passed. You and I, we've both been used to create guilt trips -- which was never our intention -- and people seem to think we have nothing better to do than maintain lists of good and bad behavior -- as if that were the issue at all! It is so important for you to keep your focus, and continue to do what it is you are here to do -- spread the spirit of joy and unconditional giving to the world. And by the way, you've got to stop eating all those cookies and milk treats!
Here's how I wish people would give - Unconditionally!
1. Unconditionally give of their Time
2. Unconditionally give of their Talents
3. Unconditionally give of their Treasures.
Santa, you can help people understand this message, if you remember who you really are!
====
Since Jesus is speaking to the Santa in each of us -- that part of us that really does understand the spirit of unconditional giving, but sometimes forgets -- let's see how we can take His advice to heart this holiday season!
1. Give of your time: Time is such a precious commodity. There is so much emphasis on the gadgetry and intricacy of electronics that we've actually put ourselves into a time trap! We are more pressured and rushed than we've ever been. We are consumed with what gift to buy for people who don't need anything. What if we gave the gift of our time? How many times has a loved one said to you, "I don't need a gift. Your presence is all the presents I need!" Let's believe that -- and look for ways to give the gift of our time this season.
2. Give of your Talents: What are your unique talents, and how could you use them to bring joy and love to others? Consider this: What do dolphins; pool plastic, Guinness Book of World Records, and a herdsman from Inner Mongolia have to do with giving of your talents? They all come together in a news story: The herdsman's name is Bao Xishun. At 7-foot-9, Bao was confirmed by Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest living man in the world. His arms are 41.7 inches long! Why is he important in terms of giving? It seems some dolphins had gotten seriously ill after nibbling on plastic from the edge of their pool at an aquarium. Surgical instruments could not extract the material (because of the shape of the dolphin stomach it is difficult to push instruments very far without injuring the animals), so vets decided to seek the help of Bao Xishun. He was able to reach his arm into the stomachs of the sick dolphins and remove the dangerous material! His unusual arms became the saving mechanism for the dolphins!
What are your talents -- and how can you use them to connect with others, bringing joy and love?
3. Give of your Treasures: The critical issue here is not how much money you have -- it is the generosity of your spirit in terms of what you do have. We saw a perfect example when we had lunch recently at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Mebane, NC. Our waitress was wonderful -- fabulous energy, beautiful spirit, and very skilled at her job. She created a sense of hospitality as she served us with such joy. We were led to give her an unusually large tip, in recognition of the way she served us! Upon seeing the size of her tip, she thanked us profusely -- then shared, with excitement, that she was using all her tips this week to buy things for children whose names were on the Angel Tree at the restaurant. Sure enough, we saw the tree, and when she opened her order book, there were four cut-out angels in her book. She said, "Now I can take a few more angels off the tree!"
What are your treasures -- and how can you see them from a spirit of unconditional giving? Believe us; you will be blessed many times over.
Remember what Jesus said to Santa? That is the identical message for each of us: Remember who you really are! And with that message, you will find that this Christmas, and the New Year, the best you have ever experienced!
About the Author:
Drs. Bil & Cher Holton are Spiritual Leaders at Unity Spiritual Life Center in Durham, NC, where they practice positive, practical, progressive Christianity. Visit their website at Unity Spiritual Life Center and sign up to receive a complimentary 4-week e-course.
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