CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS INSPIRE TEAMWORK
From Bevan Springer
New York Amsterdam News
ON THE ROAD (December 20, 2012) – It’s Christmas time again when we remember the miraculous birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
While many fervently debate whether the Christ child was born in August or December, or whether the Christmas tree with pagan origins should be installed in our homes during this time of the year, or whether in fact Christ came and died for our sins, all agree on the spiritual allure of the season.
It’s surely not the mythical Santa Claus nor the shopping sales which warm my heart during the cool climes of the December month; it’s a spirit that fills the air this time of year when we as Christians are thankful to God for sending the Lord Jesus Christ, and thankful for the love of our family and friends near and far.
While I won’t be spending the holidays in the Caribbean (where I am from) or in New York (where I have lived for close to two decades), I am thankful for the pre-Christmas vibe I have shared with friends and family in Dubai in recent days.
The vibe reminds me that life is precious – that “no man is an island” and we ought to increasingly share, not hoard, our experiences with our loved ones.
“Independence is an important, even vital, value and achievement,” writes Stephen Covey, author of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. “The problem is,” he continues, “we live in an interdependent reality, and our most important accomplishments require interdependency skills way beyond our present abilities.”
People have become increasingly independent in a “what’s in it for me?” society: we want to do things “our way” even as the scriptures teach “as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
For the Christian and other believers in the Almighty, “we are laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9) and, as such, should perhaps reflect how duty-bound we are to support one another along life’s journey.
Not all of us will receive the revelation before our terrestrial journey comes to an end, but for those who have, take some time off this Christmas season, commune with God, celebrate with friends and family, and when the holidays are over, let’s live a better, more pleasing, life, from God’s point of view.
We can make it work – let’s come together and make it work. That’s what fellowship is all about. And, fellowship is a wonderful gift for all of us in this the season of joy!