December 18 Bible Reading
December 18, 2021
Don’t Be A Jerk, It’s Christmas
Although I’ve never actually watched an episode of Sponge Bob Square Pants, I have to admit that one of my favorite Christmas songs is their “Don’t be a Jerk, It’s Christmas”. In fact, I may have used it over the years as a ringtone for certain people who could stand to apply this advice to their lives.
I think if we were going to be honest, we could all admit that we know people who could stand to hear these words of wisdom. People whose presence lights up the holiday season about as much as cousin Eddie’s arrival at the Griswold family Christmas. (FYI, we watch the dramatically cleaned up version on AMC without the foul language)
There’s the jealous Joe who resents that everyone else has it better.
We can’t forget controlling Clark who insists that everyone do everything his way zapping all of the joy from the season.
And who doesn’t know nosey Nate, the man who thinks everyone needs to hear his opinion on everything.
Then there are my personal favorites:
Ungrateful Earl who is angry that he didn’t get what he wanted under the tree and spends the rest of the day taking jabs at his family for being such Bozos.
Or traumatized Ted who experienced Christmas tragedy over 25 years ago and is determined to hate Christmas and punish everyone around him for the rest of their lives.
And the list could go on and on describing people who choose to wear bitterness, hate, anger, and self pity to every Christmas party they attend.
To these people; I have a suggestion:
It’s time for a change of attire. This year is the perfect year to choose to lay the negative issues and attitudes that are holding you captive at the foot of the cross and leave them behind you forever.
Spend some quality time with Jesus talking about why you feel and act the way you do, work through the pain, and then determine to make a change.
One of the best changes you can make is to choose to put on joy just like you choose to put on clean underwear in the morning. (Please tell me you wear clean underwear every day!)
The truth is that you can choose what attitude you will wear, even in difficult circumstances.
Will you choose to obey the Bible and be filled with God’s joy or be the Grinch and steal Christmas joy from yourself and everyone around you?
Memory Verse: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4, NIV)
New International Version (NIV)
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