Charity and Christmas (12/9/2009)

Christmas is not a day or a season,
but a condition of heart and mind.
If we love our neighbors as ourselves;
if in our riches we are poor in spirit
and in our poverty we are rich in grace;
if our charity vaunteth not itself,
but suffereth long and is kind;
if when our brother asks for a loaf,
we give ourselves instead;
if each day dawns in opportunity
and sets in achievement, however small;
then every day is Christ's day
and Christmas is always near.

- John Wallingford

There are always opportunities to serve our neighbors. Sometimes we are too busy to see them. Sometimes we allow the din of the world to drown out those requests. Yet when we take the chance to stop and help another without any thought of compensation, we demonstrate that pure love that our older Brother Jesus Christ demonstrated for all of us. Yes, it is easier to do at this time of year when everyone is focused on giving. When we take down the lights and put away the tree, however, I hope that we will be able to still keep Christmas with us.