Spend Time At Holidays In Celebration, Not Sadness
Author: John G. Banks

The blessed event of Christ’s birth, our Savior, brightens our homes with joy and happiness. For some however, these days are fearful, stressful and sad. These situations and feelings are what is left after alcohol and drugs enter this most holy of days. "The day after" contains the smoldering ashes of a warmth, of a togetherness, turned into a blazing fire. I am not saying that these terrible situations are planned, but the reality is they happen. It occurs next door, with your friends, and most of all, with family members whom we love with all of our heart.

For the past 11 years, my telephone has rung the day after Christmas. A crying wife or husband has been asked to leave home, and they describe how bad their holiday was. I do not receive the good news of Christ’s birth, the story of Jesus, but the terrible details of a very unhappy day. Why is it that some choose to celebrate with attending their local church, praising God for sending His son, while others choose to celebrate with chemicals that not only alter a mood, but also ruin it?

You see, it is not a mystery about Jesus, but it is a mystery why some people would rather have a miserable holiday than enjoy the meaning, the true meaning of Christmas. Violence, anger and destruction take over where joy once filled the soul.

Each year this picture returns to haunt family gatherings. I know this to be true. For 21 years of my life, this was the way I lived: selfish, self-centered and determined to do Satan’s will for me in my life. I found it easier to switch families than work on myself. Five marriages later, you would think that I would have a clue that it was I who was the problem and not they. One day in Bethlehem, a son was born to Mary and Joseph that would change the world forever. . .a Savior who would help anyone if asked for the help.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-10.

I thought I heard this little noise that spoke to me occasionally telling me that things were not quite the way they should be. I choose to ignore this and instead used my self-will to continue ruining the holidays for the ones I loved. I felt as if this were my destiny, the straw that I had drawn to be the one to remind my family just how important I really was. I had lost the true meaning of Christ’s birth. Wandering through life without any goals or focus, I stumbled. I came upon this verse that I have tried to follow for the past 11 years that helped me understand the true meaning of giving.

"Then Jesus said to His host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 14:12-14.

When I act like myself, I make a mess. When I do what Jesus did, my life gets better. In listening to the war stories about the holidays, I try to emphasize the importance of change, challenge and encouragement. My wife and I spend our holiday helping those individuals who, like me, give up so easily. We focus on the true meaning of the holidays, the birth of our Savior, and give Glory to Him. I have found that each time that we do this, we celebrate our holidays to the glory of God’s son. May he bless and keep you in the New Year of His birth.








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John G. Banks is the administrator for the Family Recovery thru Education & Empowerment program. Email: johnrecover@juno.com Website: http://johnrecover.faithweb.com

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