Christmas carols often highlight the joy associated with the holiday season. The lyrics of “Deck the Halls” remind us, “‘Tis the season to be jolly.” For many, however, the attitude exhibited during this time of year is anything but jolly. Perhaps it is the stress of finding the perfect gift for a loved one that causes one to be impolite toward strangers, or the additional hustle and bustle in traffic on the roads and in the stores that brings out selfishness. Whatever the case may be, the attitude of Christmas shoppers is frequently the opposite of the joy expressed in the carols.
          For the Christian, each day should be filled with happiness as we wait for the Savior and fellowship with each other. Do we demonstrate the delights of following Christ? Or do those around us look at our disposition and decide they would never want to be as miserable as we are?
          The inspired apostle Paul wrote, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking by put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
          Which words describe you? Bitter or kind? Angry or tenderhearted? Clamoring or forgiving?
          Not only during this Christmas season, but throughout our Christian life, we must show others what is available in Christ. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29).