"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."~ Calvin Coolidge ~ Former President of the United StatesI read a bit about this President as I considered my own contribution this week. It is said that Coolidge was a man of few words and when he spoke it was without intonation or inflection. He was also extremely intelligent and wise in words and actions. I don’t know any specifics about when or where he said this, but I have created the story in my mind.
I imagine that he used it in a December address to the public perhaps even at the beginning of the Great Depression. I imagine, much like today, the public was feeling the brunt of inflation-recession cycles and perhaps residual uncertainty about the Dawes Plan in the midst of so much poverty nationally.
Many people have talked about (myself included) the ‘missing’ spirit of Christmas. Is the spirit really missing? Is the spirit misplaced even?
I think the spirit of Christmas is what we make it. If we carry AND cherish peace, goodwill and mercy, all things Christ has admonished, we will ALWAYS have the spirit of Christmas at our disposal to be offered generously.
You see, I’d agree with Coolidge. Christmas is NOT a time, nor a season. Though I would even go a step further and say it’s more than a state of mind…it’s a state of heart, a response to the very seed in our heart placed there when we saw the nativity for the first time as the birth of…not just a darling baby…but our very savior.
Have a spirit-filled Tuesday!
14 comments:
Amen, it is a state of heart. One we have all year long.
I so agree that it is not a state of mind but state of heart! Thanks for sharing.
You make a great point!! More of the heart, less of the mind!
My dear you have the Christmas spirit. You are helping your friends in many ways.
The spirit of Christmas is a state of heart. I love that!
The spirit of Christmas meaning:
Giving gifts that bring new life and rejuvenation, the promise of a new way of living, a closer relationship with God, getting to know His Son?
Yep, that's the kind of spirit I want all year, in my heart!
Good post my friend, as usual!
thanks for posting!
Oh, Amen, Kim. You said it exactly as it should be said.
You are right - it is not just a state of mind, but the heart too.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this week's quote.
So true, Kim! It'd be great of we could all have the spirit of Christmas in our hearts year round!
Amen.
I love how you said that if we "carry and cherish peace, goodwill and mercy... we will always have the spirit of Christmasas our disposal to be offered generously." It's to be offered generously. I love thinking of it that way. We can't offer someone something we don't have. Excellent post! Thank you.
Good stuff once again!
A state of heart--great thought!
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