Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The 8th Day of Christmas--- Happy New Year


Growing up New Year's Eve was the official end of the Christmas season. In fact, my mom insisted that all Christmas decorations be taken down before the New Year or we would have bad luck (we also had to eat ham, black eyed peas, and greens on New Years Day or a similar fate would befall us!). But truthfully, we are only 3/4 of the way through the Christmas season! Today's scripture reminds us no only of the necessity of allowing the incarnate Christ to dwell within us, but it is a great reminder of what kind of difference Christ should make in our lives.
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17
One of my favorite shows is "What Not To Wear" and I've been fascinated by the rules Stacy and Clinton give the people on the show to use while shopping. Well here are God's rules for how a Christian should "dress." So today rather than 8 maids a milking (or taking down your Christmas decorations! Oh for a maid to do that!) but a time to ask ourselves "If this is how Christians should dress, what will I wear today at home, tomorrow at work, Saturday at play, and Sunday at worship? And what in my closet should I no longer wear?

Wish I could give us all $5000 to shop for new attitudes for the new year--luckily, God will give it to us for free.

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