The season to do good

INTRODUCTION: This is the time of the year when expressions and beliefs of the general population in society and the convictions of this old writer diverge. A recent headline of an article declared a great number of people did not recognize Christmas as a religious holiday. It is that “great number” of the last sentence with which I agree. Before anyone rushes to judgment and condemnation, please read on and consider the statements offered to support the position.

Also, before anyone places a sentiment of negativity or objection to many of the positions embraced here, may it be emphatically declared that what all of us declare as the Christmas Season is one of the most embraced and enjoyable of the year. The spirit of the season is one to touch most hearts and stimulate the goodness in all of us toward those less fortunate in our communities and in the world.

With that said let us examine some characteristics of this season of the year.

A SEASON OF GIVING AND SHARING:

It is obvious many individuals “lift up their eyes” and see the needs of others as we approach the end of any year. The vision captured by the act of lifting up one’s eyes to look up fellow humanity allows for embracing the needs of so many fellow travelers along life’s journey.

May we also note that this season of giving and sharing is often tilted to preferential treatment of our own? With great care and attention, we devote time and money to providing our children and loved ones with gifts of great value. But it isn’t just the good deeds and good gifts we bestow upon our that is a matter of merit. Thankfully there is the touching of our hearts that move each of us to see the great good we can do for others. There are those who are lonely; there are those who have little of the world’s goods including proper clothing, food and shelter. The great sentiment characterizing the season is that we can see the spirit manifested by individuals and institutions to reach out with a helping and generous hand condemnations associated with those wrongs. But, the point made is that the judgment parables of the Bible report condemnation on good that people fail to do rather than the evils and sins committed.

Now the question comes, are we doing good and to what extent are we doing good? I might add to those questions, with what attitude do we render our actions and treasures in helping our fellow humans? We all would do well to consider the remarks of Jesus in the great judgment scene of Matthew 25 when he praised those on the right hand for giving food to the hungry, for providing water to the thirsty, for taking in strangers, for clothing the needy, for looking after the sick and for visiting those in prison. Then consider his condemnation on those on his left hand, not for doing wrong things but for their failure to do the good deeds performed by those on the right hand. CONCLUSION: Do I now hear someone say “But isn’t it the birthday of Jesus we celebrate?” So, that is what is declared by the religious world. If we are to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, I don’t know what day it would be. I would not know how to celebrate the day because the early church did not do so; neither did they leave any command to do so. The Bible gives us no command or instructions.

I like the spirit of this time of the year. Hearts and minds seem to embrace their neighbors. But as said so many times in the years gone, the days of Christmas and Easter have become far more commercial than they are religious.

The spirit, the music and the good will of this season are to be embraced. In keeping with a practice of several years, I will again ride with Santa Claus as his chief helper. This year my chief destination will be to the house of sweet little Astrid Sosa and her little brother, Abner. They are the children of Tatum Crocker and Daniel Sosa down in Cobb County. I hope they will be sleeping.

Merry Christmas to everyone! May God bless you.