The Tune of Your Spirit
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Music is the universal language, and it touches your soul. You hear a tune, and you immediately know the song even if it is sung in a different language. Christmas music has a spirit all its own. It brings back memories and events from your past. It touches deep within the heart and reaches the inner child. You sing with the music either out loud or in your head sometimes without realizing it.
You may be tired of the Christmas carols that have been playing since November 1st. Sometimes you just tune them out without truly listening to the words of hope, joy, peace, and love found in the songs of Christmas that tell the meaning of the season. God so loved the world, that He came in the form of a baby to be the Savior of the world.
What is the tune of your spirit this Christmas? A tune is a melody or theme – it is what is inside of you that guides you. To be in tune is to make an adjustment. Is your attitude and outlook one of negativity with a “humbug” spirit for Christmas? You just want the season to be over and have no desire to celebrate with family. These feelings may come from loss and sadness in your life. It may come from not enjoying life, or you financially do not have the ability to give what you think is required of you or even what you want to give. You see the joy of others and feel none of it within you. You feel out of tune with your own spirit.
This may mean you have lost focus. The Christmas season has lost focus in society. Christmas is about giving – not all the material stuff – Christmas is about God giving His Son, Jesus, to be the Savior of the world. God comes among us to be the perfect sacrifice for the redemption of sin. The Spirit of Christmas is in the songs that share this story of love and grace.
So how does your Christmas spirit get in tune? It is adjusting what Christmas means to you. It is time to simplify not compete and fall into the trap of overspending and believing you can buy happiness. By the end of the day, no Christmas present really satisfies and fills your spirit with lasting joy.
The joy comes not in circumstances and possessions or anything tangible, but it comes in being content and loved. Joy comes in the simple pleasures of life like being with those you love and receiving the love that comes down at Christmas in Jesus.
Maybe it is time to really listen to the words of those Christmas songs that are in your head – “Joy to the word, the Lord is come!” “Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King.” “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child.” “O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.”
Adjust your focus and simplify your spirit. Focus on enjoying the moments. Sing the Christmas songs and listen to the words. Turn off the TV and sit with your loved ones around the tree and read the Christmas story and share memories. Look at the lights around town. Go to Christmas Eve worship. Your focus need not be on all the stuff and tasks and expectations that get your spirit out of tune. Tune your spirit to the love that came down at Christmas. Merry Christmas!
Elaine J. Sturtz
Living In The Different
