Let Christian joy shine year-round

The scoffers increase around Christmas more because of an irritation with joyous individuals, who bid the Holy Spirit entrance within their hearts, and everyone knows nothing depresses non-believers more than a Christian's spontaneous joy unspeakable and full of God's glory. However, the worst thing is Christians should be celebrating Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas every day of the year despite their antagonists' relentless attacks of blind intellect lacking any wisdom.

If you think Christ needs to be put back into Christmas, then stop whining about how others aren't doing anything and you do something about it. Don't be like the winter solstice crowd stumping on symbols as not traditionally Christian, or the vague “happy holidays” crowd being content to ignore the greeting of “merry Christmas” as the blessing it is intended to be.

Let us not be prideful in our faith but humbly asking forgiveness for our shortcomings, continually praising God, giving thanks for the fulfillment of our simplest needs, and looking to the strength, patience, and love that is greater than our own. Remembering, “I (We) can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (us).” - Philippians 4:13. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Richard J. Tjarks

Hiawatha