A Merry Heart

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. -Proverbs 15:13

This time of year we hear a lot of talk about the saying of "Merry Christmas." The controversy arises over stores that do not allow their customers to utter those words as well as their refusal to recognize the holiday as being Christmas. I have received numerous emails encouraging me to write letters to the corporate headquarters of these stores voicing my complaint and demanding that they allow their employees to wish me and everyone else a Merry Christmas. If you feel lead to do that, then go ahead. However, here is another idea; go into some of the stores that don't allow their employees to say Merry Christmas, browse around a while, and wish as many employees as possible a heartfelt Merry Christmas. Do not utter those words out of a vindictive spirit, lest you miss out on the opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ, but rather do so out of a genuine desire that those persons see the love of the Lord shining from your life.
Jesus said that as His followers that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), and that light shines brightest when we are walking in the fullness of God's grace and mercy. When we reach out in Jesus' name with a kind word and a warm smile, then we are being faithful to what Christ has called us to do, even if it's something as simple as wishing someone a Merry Christmas.
This season, remember that the world is filled with sad, lonely, and anguished people. Countless people we meet are hurting deeply inside. So, not only wish folks around you a Merry Christmas, but when we have opportunity, let's be sure to remind them that in Christ there is hope. In Jesus, there is life anew. When we practice this sincerely, we will be enriched and our hearts will be made glad. We are then empowered to show the Lord's love all around.
Merry Christmas!