My first pastor, Stuart Briscoe, who was born in England, used to talk about our cultures obsession with the “spirit of Christmas.” The “spirit of Christmas” is something we all long for. It’s that attitude that overtakes us with kindness, generosity, peace, goodwill and warm relationships each year around the time of the winter solstice. But what our hearts really long for is not, “the spirit of Christmas” but rather the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christmas is annual; the Spirit of Christ is eternal. The spirit of Christmas is sentimental; the Spirit of Christ is supernatural. The spirit of Christmas is a commercial product; the Spirit of Christ is a divine Person.
Its not about an annual event, it is about Christ’s perpetual indwelling power through the Holy Spirit. The only power through which we might be changed.
Susie Grade 