Tis the Season to be Kind

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. (Proverbs 19:20-23 ESV). The Christmas season is complicated. It teems with unrealistic expectations and extra tasks; an over- abundance of social obligations and the burden of financial pressure. Add to that the left-over dreams and un-granted wishes from childhood and the pressure to buy, starting with the dash for Christmas deals that now start on “Black Friday,” and you may experience a sense of being harried rather than holy. It is a season that can be a time of gladness, wonder, beauty, celebration, service, and love.

A Christmas Carol, Charles Dicken’s classic novella, is an important commentary on Christmas, its message still relevant 170 years after it was written. You remember the story. It tells of the poverty and misery of the lower class, the struggle just to survive. Bob Cratchit, overworked, underpaid, living in poverty with great difficulties, nonetheless approaches life with cheery hope, despite his despairing circumstances. Scrooge, Cratchit’s employer, is struggling in his own way. But he is wealthy and tight-fisted, bitter, and downright mean to his fellow beings. His nephew, Fred, a good-willed man who seeks to bring Scrooge into the fold of family and celebration visits Scrooge’s office to invite his Uncle to Christmas lunch. Scrooge is angry and annoyed. “What right have you to be merry?” he challenges the nephew. “Much good it [Christmas] has ever done you.” The rest of the story unfolds proving Scrooge to be wrong. Dickens wrote his timeless novella to address poverty, injustice, and the inhumane treatment of poor children in Great Britain at the time. A Christmas Carol has never been out of print since it was first published Dec. 17, 1843. Our reading today points out the timeless wisdom of the Lord, “What is desirable in a man is kindness” (v. 22). Acts of kindness inspire us, whether it’s taking time to help an employee at the office, or defending a person being picked on by bullies. The recipients of these acts of kindness are always grateful. That’s the example of Jesus. His kindness cannot be denied. Whether he is healing the sick, teaching the multitudes, or welcoming the children to his lap, he is the epitome of kindness. This season, even in the midst of the craziness of our cultures commercialization of Christmas, be kind. Especially in a busy world where so many seem to be looking out for number one, acts of kindness are always appreciated.