The true Christmas spirit

Christmas is 16 days away. It's coming close. That means we are either swimming or drowning in the Christmas spirit.

How do you feel about now? Stressed or secure? Anxious or anticipating?

Let me clarify what the phrase "Christmas spirit" means. Sometimes we equate the Christmas spirit with some kind of sentimental, sweet sappy feeling that comes from songs on the radio or Christmas decorations that light our house.

Before you start throwing stones, I'm not against any of that. I love Christmas songs, especially when someone like Josh Groban sings. I think Christmas decorations are great.

But the true "Christmas spirit" is something radically different. It's something more than the feel-good fuzziness that permeates commericalized Christmas.

I would suggest to you that the true Christmas spirit is a "free spirit" and a "freeing spirit."

Sometimes we think of someone with a "free spirit" as someone who is a radical "hippy" from the 1960's. Long hair, beard, eating crunch granola, and of course, only vegetables. Liberal in their politics. Wanting to "blow up" the status quo.

But a "free spirit" is someone who has distanced himself from the things of this world. He is "free" in the sense that he has been freed from sin. He is "free in the sense that he has been freed from everything that binds.

Fear. Depression. Anxiety. Substances. Uncontrolled habits. Gossip. Slander. Envy. Jealousy. Resentment. Bitterness. Anger.

Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 that the "Christmas spirit" relates less to Santa and Frosty and more to the fact that Christ was born into this world to set us free.

He writes, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."

Experience the true "Christmas spirit" in the next 16 days. By the power of the Holy spirit, be joyful, have a conversation with God on a continual basis, don't complain but look for the best in everything, avoid temptation - and experience God's peace - and be free.