“Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”? It’s easy to get caught up in that debate, but as I reflect on the meaning of Christmas, I am reminded that it doesn’t matter what we call the holiday, and that there is no reason to get upset over things like verbiage on a sign or seasonal card. What matters is the way we live our lives, and what we do for others at Christmas and throughout the year.

While at mymerrychristmas.com, I came across a reposting that really sums up the way I feel about this season. The entry, a letter from God to his children, includes God’s birthday wish list for those of us who celebrate Christmas, and I wanted to share that list with you. I hope you enjoy it.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or a holiday from another faith, I wish you all a very happy holiday season.

 1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

 2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

 3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

 4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

 5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

 6. Did you know that some people in your town will attempt to take their own lives this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who those people are, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

 7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn’t make so much money on that day they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

 8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

 9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them (and I suspect you don’t) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.

 10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Adrian Garza

Note: This list is a direct excerpt from a blog posting at www.mymerrychristmas.com.

The entry has appeared on several Internet forums, and the original author is unknown.