3 minute read
An Attitude of Gratitude at Christmas
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:11
As Christmas approaches, we often find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle—shopping for gifts, decorating, and planning festive gatherings. But in the midst of all the excitement, it’s important to pause and reflect on the true reason for the season: the birth of Jesus, the greatest gift ever given. There’s a story that beautifully illustrates the power of perspective. It’s about a young boy who would gaze across the valley every morning and see a house on a distant mountainside with windows that seemed to shine like gold in the sunlight. One day, filled with curiosity, he decided to find this magical house. He searched all day but couldn’t find it. As evening came, he asked a girl if she knew where the house with the golden windows was. She smiled and pointed across the valley—to his own home, now glowing in the radiance of the setting sun. The treasure he had been searching for was right in front of him all along. This story reminds us of Christmas in a profound way. So often, we search for joy and fulfillment in external things—presents, and decorations. But the true beauty of Christmas, the real treasure, is found in Jesus.
Just like the boy in the story, we sometimes miss the blessings that are right before our eyes. Christmas is a time to embrace a heart of thankfulness, reflecting on all that God has done for us through Jesus. It’s an attitude that Paul modeled so well. Despite facing hardship after hardship— being beaten, imprisoned, and shipwrecked—Paul didn’t focus on his suffering. Instead, he said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation... I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).
At Christmas, we remember that Jesus is the source of our strength and our joy. No matter what challenges or uncertainties we may face, we can rest in the knowledge that His presence is with us, offering peace and hope. Consider the story of Matthew Henry, a preacher who once experienced a robbery. Afterward, instead of dwelling on what he lost, he found reasons to be thankful:
He was grateful that he had never been robbed before.
He was thankful that the robber took only his money and not his life.
He was glad that he didn’t have much money for the robber to steal.
And finally, he was thankful that he wasn’t the one who felt so desperate as to rob someone else.
As we celebrate Christmas, let’s remember that a thankful heart isn’t dependent on what we have or don’t have. It’s about recognizing the incredible gift of Jesus—God’s love made flesh, dwelling among us. His birth is the reason we can find peace in the midst of chaos, joy in the face of trials, and hope for the future. —The Editorial team
