candiceshenefelt
Happiness is.....
Don't we all want to know the secret to happiness? Christmas time is here once again. During this time of the year a person's thoughts are often centered on Jesus. Jesus knew that true happiness involves relationships with others. We humans are gregarious by nature, so we cannot be truly happy if we isolate ourselves or if we are constantly in conflict with those around us. We can be happy only if we feel loved and if we love others. Fundamental to such love, Jesus taught, is our relationship with God. Jesus was interested in human happiness. He began his well-known Sermon on the Mount with nine beatitudes—nine expressions that begin: “Happy are . . .” (Matthew 5:1-12) In that same sermon, he taught his listeners to examine, purify, and discipline their minds and hearts—replacing violent, immoral, and selfish thoughts with peaceful, clean, and loving thoughts. (Matthew 5:21, 22, 27, 28; 6:19-21) During the Christmas season, I feel that people put forth a special effort to be kind toward their fellow man. I really like that. I strive to live that way everyday. Many of you may be surprised to know that I don't celebrate Christmas. Yes, it is true. I stopped celebrating Christmas years ago. It was a personal decision. I learned of things about the celebration that actually go against what Jesus taught. So, after I learned those things I couldn't pretend that I didn't know them. My conscience would no longer allow me to take part in the celebration. In a way, it has been difficult not to celebrate Christmas because I am a real team player. Yes, I like to be a part of the crowd and be just like everyone else. It feels good to be accepted and to be like everyone else. However, I want to be pleasing to God and I don't want to participate in anything that would be offensive to him. So, why am I even talking about this? Well, because it is that time of the year. Yes, I am an odd ball during this time. I accept it though. I hope that I don't offend anyone by sharing my thoughts. I respect everyone's decision to celebrate anything that they want to. I'm just sharing a part of myself. That is just what I do.
Happiness is.....
Don't we all want to know the secret to happiness? Christmas time is here once again. During this time of the year a person's thoughts are often centered on Jesus. Jesus knew that true happiness involves relationships with others. We humans are gregarious by nature, so we cannot be truly happy if we isolate ourselves or if we are constantly in conflict with those around us. We can be happy only if we feel loved and if we love others. Fundamental to such love, Jesus taught, is our relationship with God. Jesus was interested in human happiness. He began his well-known Sermon on the Mount with nine beatitudes—nine expressions that begin: “Happy are . . .” (Matthew 5:1-12) In that same sermon, he taught his listeners to examine, purify, and discipline their minds and hearts—replacing violent, immoral, and selfish thoughts with peaceful, clean, and loving thoughts. (Matthew 5:21, 22, 27, 28; 6:19-21) During the Christmas season, I feel that people put forth a special effort to be kind toward their fellow man. I really like that. I strive to live that way everyday. Many of you may be surprised to know that I don't celebrate Christmas. Yes, it is true. I stopped celebrating Christmas years ago. It was a personal decision. I learned of things about the celebration that actually go against what Jesus taught. So, after I learned those things I couldn't pretend that I didn't know them. My conscience would no longer allow me to take part in the celebration. In a way, it has been difficult not to celebrate Christmas because I am a real team player. Yes, I like to be a part of the crowd and be just like everyone else. It feels good to be accepted and to be like everyone else. However, I want to be pleasing to God and I don't want to participate in anything that would be offensive to him. So, why am I even talking about this? Well, because it is that time of the year. Yes, I am an odd ball during this time. I accept it though. I hope that I don't offend anyone by sharing my thoughts. I respect everyone's decision to celebrate anything that they want to. I'm just sharing a part of myself. That is just what I do.