“Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas”
How many of us are even nervous to say that now? Isn’t it silly to have to nervous about being merry and bright. I want you to know that you are allowed to be happy about Christmas. Don’t be shy. All you early decorators, be overjoyed. All of you Christmas card deliverers, keep spreading your smiling faces across dozens of fridges. It is important to be merry! Be bright! It is actually our job to be different than the world. Right now the world needs more Jesus. It needs the celebration of what He did for us.
Should I not say “Happy Friday!” to someone when it is Friday as we commonly do, in celebration of the approaching weekend? Well it is factually Friday and I am happy about it, so, “Happy Friday!!!” The same can be said for Christmas. It is the time that a lot of the world is celebrating the birth of Jesus… which is a holiday that most get to have off of work… I would like to be Merry about it, so, “Merry Christmas!!!!!!!”
Ha, honestly I am not mad or disappointed at all as I am typing this. I am just grateful that I can confidently tell people “Merry Christmas!” As I have been shopping this week, clerks have told me, “happy holidays” to which I respond, “Merry Christmas!” with a great big smile on my face. I have had two people say, “oh, Merry Christmas” with great big smiles on their faces in return. I even had the privilege of one of the clerks two weeks ago while I was getting a gift for my son, say, “happy holidays.” and I gave my typical response. He was so grateful. He leaned over the counter and told me, “thank you for saying that. We are required to say “happy holidays” here and I don’t like it. So now I get to say it back to you. Merry Christmas!” It absolutely made his day. So make sure over the next few days you say it as often as possible. Be brave be bold.
Guess what is awesome? At church this weekend and Christmas Eve you get to say it as much and loudly, within reason don’t screech, as you can. To some people your excitement about the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago could be infectious. Spread that Christmas joy, sing loud for all to hear! Love you guys! No matter what campus you are at, have a Merry Christmas!
Serve Like Jesus,
James Cooper
The books basic theme is
People matter
We are responsible for our part in a relationship as leaders.
