“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if …
Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1844 when the British explored and re-evaluated past Christmas traditions, including carols and newer customs such as Christmas cards and trees (Wikipedia). Ironically, we have been experiencing similar unrest regarding Christmas over the past few years. The season has become more secular and hedonistic and less about being thankful. People do tend to show some charity during this season. But it has become a less involved type where we ride on the coattails of businesses running toy and food drives instead of people connecting personally with those in their community who our presence could bless. Dickens noticed that society had become less concerned about the misery around them and focused on self-happiness. Any signs of charity during Christmas faded within days, and the disenfranchised were put aside for another year.
A poignant line in A Christmas Carol occurs in a conversation between Scrooge and the Ghost of his partner, Marley. Scrooge suggests Marley died following worldly standards and was a good man of business, to which Marley howls, “Business!” cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all mine.”
Paul’s words to the Philippian church do not suggest we occasionally care for each other, but it should be a part of our lifestyle. Eugene Peterson’s translation shares it this way, “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favour: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front or sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand”.
Humanity is our business. The business of God is to bring the Good News of restoration, forgiveness, and salvation to His creation. He has invited those who believe in Jesus to join Him on the mission and make humanity our business.
Enjoy and celebrate Christmas. If possible, break bread with your family; if not, call them up. But don’t forget, we are blessed to bless others.