It’s well into December, and the Christmas buzz is upon us. We have entered the shorter days and longer nights of winter and everyone’s thinking about gifts. If you ask most people what the holiday season means to them, it’s ‘gifts’ and family. Most retail stores have reminded us of the impending season for several weeks promoting all the latest must have gadgets and products for the holiday gifts. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the festive lights, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room? Is this the true meaning of Christmas?

The Hustle & Bustle of Christmas

Christmas can be a glorious time of the year. It is also a busy time for most of us, but for many others, Christmas can be a time of sorrow. They don’t have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. The holiday season can be a most magical time for young children and those who are surrounded by friends and family. However, for those away from home, the lonely or for those suffering from ill health, this season is simply a reminder of what they don’t have.

It is our hope and prayer that this year we do not become so caught up in the pressures of the season that we place our emphasis on the wrong things and miss the simple joys of commemorating the real reason for the season. Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done. We find the real joy of Christmas when we focus on the true reason for the holiday.

The True Season of Christ

Christmas is meant to be a season of great celebration. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. Christmas is a time of spiritual reflection on the important foundations of the Christian faith.  It is important to take time this holiday season to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by glorifying God’s love for the world through the birth of the Christ child: Jesus. The Bible tells of his birth hundreds of years before, fulfilling prophecies.

Luke 2:10

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”

Christmas is a time for giving and not simply a day we exchange gifts. The spirit of Christmas is in the ‘togetherness’, it’s in the thought to which you put into thinking about others, it’s a selfless time, where we forgive, take stock of what’s important and become ‘better’ versions of ourselves. It’s the universal ‘feel good’ factor for those that aren’t a Scrooge, and even if you don’t celebrate it, you can’t help but feel the love.

Most Christmas traditions vary in significance and symbolic meaning. For example, we exchange gifts because God sent us the most precious gift: his only Son. Christmas is a meaningful date because of the birth of Jesus Christ – who offered a message of peace, forgiveness and divine love. Christmas is a special opportunity to put aside the material world and focus on the spiritual aspirations of peace and happiness.

Celebrating the Christmas Season

Around this time of year we become more charitable, more accepting and generous with both gifts and emotions. Undoubtedly these principals should be present all year round, however, there’s something about the Christmas season, and connectivity to your neighbors, being social and sharing with others. Traditionally we bake for others and give gifts. It’s a sense of community, a social structure that we follow, and we simply do what others do.

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Helping Others This Holiday Season

This Christmas season here are some ways you can make a difference to someone that needs it. It’s important to recognize the need in others, and it’s not all about the money, it could be helping them in the following ways:

• Help someone do their grocery shopping.
• Take time to reach out and talk to someone.
• Taking them to visit family.
• Cooking for them or inviting them in for a festive feast.
• Volunteer and visit the elderly, help the homeless or closer to home.
• Visit family that you haven’t seen in a long time.
• Donate to those who are less fortunate.
• Write a letter… a real one in pen and everything… and not a -send to all by email! Be personal, get personal and get real.

Stay tuned for our upcoming post where we will team up with Brittney Moses to share 21 Ways to Take Care of your Mental, Emotional, & Spiritual Health this Christmas Season.

WeShare in a community that is uplifting, caring, and rooted in faith!

“You and your family may be at a point in the year where you are looking for the best and most affordable program for healthcare. And that’s where WeShare by UHSM comes in. WeShare is not traditional health insurance, and that’s a good thing because together, when we share our burdens as a community, we are living a life according to what we are called to do as Christians,” said Brittney Moses, member, and Ambassador of UHSM.

WeShare members have admission to the largest, independent PPO PHCS network in America, with access to over 1.2 million doctors and specialists. Not only that, but members can also access pharmacy services at over 68,000 locations, nation-wide. WeShare is so much more, WeShare as a community and truly care for our members with a holistic approach to wellness, one which focuses on a preventative and proactive approach to one’s well-being.

Call us at (800) 900 – 8476 or send an email to hello@uhsm.org

We can’t wait to chat with you about WeShare, our healthcare sharing ministry memberships!