Are you ready for Divine Appointments this Christmas?

If we look positively at Christmas, despite what it has become in the West, we will be more effective. Here are some suggestions:

-Pray in advance for the people you will be seeing this Christmas who you don't normally see. This is a rare opportunity. Without changing who you are, seek to be Christ to these people. Perhaps, like me, you don't care enough for some of these people, or maybe don't even like some of them. Maybe Great Aunt Bertha gets on your nerves. ... Pray in advance! :)

-Use discussions about Christmas to talk about Christ. Look out for them. Don't miss them.

-Enjoy your Christmas. Have fun! Have a good attitude. Take joy in how kids love Christmas. Make the Christmas of those around you brighter.

-Beware too-high expectations when it comes to gifts and people making much of you. Don't expect much in the way of gifts, or you may be disappointed and experience a Christmas of self-pity. Don't let it happen. Be others-oriented, and you will have a better Christmas.

-Think about watching "The Nativity" in a theatre. I am planning to do this, and know people who have seen it who really liked it. (Let me know if you've seen it, and what you think.)

-Remember those who get forgotten at Christmas. Christmas is one of the happiest times of year for some, and one of the saddest times of year for others. Remember especially those who are away from family or who recently lost a loved one.

-Don't be small-minded. Don't waste too much time complaining about how people say "Season's Greeetings" instead of "Merry Christmas." I recently had to endure a whole sermon of this. If your view of the eternal revolution that is Christianity is to whine about little things like this, you (as is too often true of me) have forgotten that we have much bigger things to talk about. Life is short, and people need Christ, and He's asked us to take Him to them.

Have big vision - for Christmas and beyond.

Merry Christmas!

Or as they say here in England, Happy Christmas! :)