Spirit of sharing at Christmas

Christie Fernando Chilaw special correspondent

Yuletide is a season of great joy because we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a time of God showing His abundant love for us. Indeed the birth of Jesus brought great happiness to the world. Shepherds, wise men and angels shared in unison the exhilaration of knowing about this great event.

They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets foretold the birth of the Messiah hundreds of years before. The Star stopped over Bethlehem marking the way to lead to the hallowed place of the inconspicuous manger for those who were looking for the amazing Baby Jesus. So, Christmas should be a time of healing and renewed strength.And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An Angel of the Lord appeared to them. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were alarmed. But the Angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.

He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. ‘Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of goodwill.”But, what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the Christmas tree? Or is it the lights in the windows ? Or, is it the cards in the mail or turkey dinners with family and friends? Or the shouts of “Merry Christmas” to those meet on the street?

Sharing

It is all about sharing Christmas cheer with the have-nots, because shared joy is two-fold joy; and shared sorrow is half sorrow. Your beaming smile tells others that there is a caring and a sharing. Happiness is not so much in possessing wealth as sharing with theneedy. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give, it is said.Have you had a kindness shown? Then pass it on. It was not given for you alone. Pass it on. Let it pass on down the years; Let it wipe another's tears, till in Heaven the deed appears to reward you.

Happiness never decreases by being shared as thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle. We cannot count ourselves as living if we do not share our life with others.“Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Those who bring sunshine and warmth into the lives of others are blessed. The little acts of kindness are worth a thousand splendid intentions.

“Give and it will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into you lap. For, with the measure you use, it be measured unto you” – Luke 6:37-38“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly,but comes to poverty.” – Prov. 11:24ÓIt is more blessed to give than to receive.” - Acts 20:35It was none other than Abraham Lincoln who said: “With malice towardsnone; with charity for all.”For, God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9He gives twice who gives quickly. – Italian proverb.

Generous

There was a man and woman who gave a sizeable contribution to the Church to honour the memory of their son who lost his life in war. When the announcement was made of the generous donation, a woman whispered to her husband, “Let’s give the same amount for our boy!” Her husband said,

“What are you talking about? Our son wasn’t killed.”That’s just the point,” she said. “Let’s give it as an expression ofour gratitude to God for sparing his life!”If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have worst kind of heart trouble, someone said.

There is a lot of truth in this adage: “Do your giving while you’re living, so you know where it’s going.”

A hospital visitor saw a nurse tending to the sores of a leprosypatient, and said,

“I’d never do that for a million dollars!” Thenurse answered, “Neither would I. But I do it for Jesus for nothing,You can give without loving, but you can’t LOVE without giving!A blessed Christmas to one and all!