TOO many people argue and fight unnecessarily over the exact date of Christ’s birth and whether or not Christmas should be celebrated. But don’t you think we can make better use of our time and energy? Here are some important pieces of advice for us all during the season.

We can improve our attitude towards God and others during the season. It will do us well to empty our hearts of junk such as envy, hatred, malice, anger and bitterness and make room for Jesus to live within our means. Avoid getting into unnecessary debt. Guard against overindulgence in appetite. Shun extravagance in decoration, dress and entertainment. Spend quality time with family and friends. Share the love of Jesus, especially with the less fortunate.

Notwithstanding the aforementioned, careful examination of the Christmas story reveals some important lessons that require our careful attention. The undeniable truth is, the Christmas story is replete with powerful lessons that we can ignore at our peril, deny to our destruction or learn from to our advantage.

Firstly, the Christmas story teaches us that it is possible to demonstrate unbelievable ignorance and inconceivable indifference to major events, although we are in possession of precise and relevant information. Despite the fact that the Jews were knowledgeable of the prophesies regarding the Messiah and despite the fact that they anticipated his birth for centuries, when Christ was born Jerusalem was quiet. The enquiry of the wise men concerning the child’s birth was met with indifference from the chief priests. What an incitement! Hence, each Christmas ought to be a solemn reminder that we should not be ignorant and indifferent towards major events such as the imminent and literal return of Jesus, especially when we have all the information at our disposal.

Secondly, the Christmas story teaches us that we should beware of the tom cat mentality. I was recently reminded by Brother Lincoln Green of the fact that the tom cat is so obsessed with himself, that in an attempt to maintain power he would kill younger tom cats. King Herod had the tom cat mentality. When he heard that a ruler in the person of Jesus was born, he made every attempt to kill him. It is horrendous to think about what people would do to secure and maintain power. This season should remind us that we should beware of the tom cat mentality, but rather be gentle and humble.

Thirdly, Christmas reminds us that high ideals should be exemplified in marriage and family life. Through the experience of Mary, we recognise that God places a high premium on purity. When God wanted a woman to give birth to the Messiah, he chose a virgin. The experience of Joseph teaches us that the world has men who love their spouses unconditionally and willingly obey the word of God.

Fourthly, the Christmas story teaches us that God is Love. After the sin of Adam and Eve man needed a saviour. In love, God predicted that Jesus would come in the flesh to be man’s saviour. In love, Jesus left all the glories and conveniences of heaven to take up temporary residence on sinful earth. In love, Jesus humbled himself and was born in a lowly manger to poor parents. In love, Jesus showed us how to live an overcomer’s life based on an unbreakable relationship with God, the Father. In love, Jesus lived to help the helpless; heal the sick and bring deliverance to captives. In love, He recruited, trained and deployed unlearnt men to add value to people’s lives. In love, Jesus died as man’s saviour and redeemer. But prior to His death, He predicted His death and promised to return to eradicate evil and reward the faithful with everlasting life.

So this season and throughout the year, I urge you to be alert to the plight of those around us; be gentle and humble; seek to be of help to those in need, as best as you can; think about the less fortunate; spend time with family and loved ones; share love; reflect on the wonderful gift of life given us through Jesus’s death, and above all, make room for Jesus in your heart and home.