"When Christmas is over," said a merchant to a minister, "it's over, and it is our job to rid the store completely of Christmas in a day." The minister said, "I have a much bigger job--to try to keep Christmas in the hearts of my people for a lifetime."
Now that the celebration of Christmas, as the anniversary of Christ's birth, is over, it behooves every Christian to see that the spirit of Christmas--the spirit of love, joy, hope and forgiveness prevails in every thought, word and deed throughout the coming year. The minister may help by teaching, admonishing and cultivating such a spirit, but each person must permit the spirit of Christ to indwell and control their life. The Apostle Paul said it well: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32. What a wonderful world we would have, and what joy and peace and love would overflow our lives if we could but keep the spirit of Christmas every day of the year among all people.