CALIBRATE TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

To calibrate: to check, adjust, focus or determine by comparison with a standard (the graduations of a quantitative measuring instrument).

To calibrate our hearts in order to meaningfully celebrate Christmas means, therefore, to check, adjust, and re-focus our hearts on Jesus.

It means keeping Him in Christmas. But more than just a day, calibrating is a day to day revealing of the character, love and spirit of Christ that dwells in us, allowing these traits to shine through our actions.

THREE STEPS TO CALIBRATE:

1º BE STILL.

“Be still and confess that I am God!” Ps 46:11

üPls. slow down and be still. Just allow God to address you in prayerful silence.

üPray. Meditate. Reflect. Still doing your Christmas shopping? That’s okay. But at the end of the day, please spend sometime being busy with God, in restful prayerful relationship with him.

2º FOCUS.

“Let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us  and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.” Heb 12:1

Focusing entails these details:

a.  Rid yourself of Sins.

b.  Be patient. Endure trials.

c.  Keeping your heart fixed on God’s Love and Providence.

Some simple ways to keep Christ the central focus of your life this Christmas season:

1) Give God one very special personal gift. No one else needs to know about it. Let it be a sacrifice. Forgive someone? Spend time with God daily? Give up something? Make this your most important gift of the season.

2) Plan a project of good will this Christmas. “Adopt” a single mom, an orphan, a widow, an elderly, a child w/ disability this season?

3) Christmas carolling in a nursing home or a children’s hospital.

4) Give a surprise gift of service to each member of your family. Running an errand for your brother? Cleaning out a closet for your mother?

5) Set aside a time of family devotions on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Before opening the gifts, take a few minutes to gather together as a family in prayer and devotions.

6) Attend Christmas Mass service together with your family. Or invite a friend or a neighbor to join you.

7) Send Christmas cards /text that convey a personal spiritual message.

8) Write a Christmas letter of

affirmation to someone.

3º  CHOOSE KINDNESS, ALWAYS, IMMEDIATELY AND WITH JOY.

^“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! ⁵ Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.” Phil 4:4-5

KINDNESS

♥ What kindness is not.

Kindness does not necessarily mean being nice.

One can be kind and not nice. Nice is defined as being agreeable. In contrast, kindness is acting for the good of people regardless of what they do.

♥ What Kindness is.

√ comes from Old High German: kind, child

√ comes from the Latin: benignitas (roots bene- = “well” and -genus = “born”)

√ comes from the Greek word chrestotes: which meant to be kind, mild, and benevolent, compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, or gentle.

The apostle Paul uses this word to depict God’s incomprehensible kindness for people who are unsaved (Rom 11:22; Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4).

^“the kindness and generous love of God…saved us through the bath of rebirth  and renewal by the holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5

√ in inter-human relationships, being adaptable to others to the needs of others

√ doing something and not expecting anything in return

√ respecting and helping others without waiting for someone to help you back; you keep being kind no matter what

√ goodness in action

√ sweetness of disposition

Are you Kind enough toPass the Good-o-Meter of God?