I know I will lose most readers by this first sentence – Christmas has never been about gifts we receive! I remember asking a 5th grader, “What is Christmas all about?” Her answer was, “IT’s all about the presents!” She was partially correct because Christmas is truly about God sending His Son to earth, Who was born on what we call Christmas Day (whatever day that truly was we are uncertain)! It is all about “The Christ”! I am grateful when people wish me a “Merry Christmas” instead of saying, “Seasons Greetings”! I am honored that people care enough that they bring me PIE or some other present! I love the colorful lights, the beautifully decorated trees, the grand Nativity scenes, and the other decorations that make this time “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”! I enjoy watching Christmas movies, even the ones I remember as a kid – in black and white! In fact, there is very little about a true Christmas Celebration that I do not appreciate!
But, may we all remember that it is NOT ALL ABOUT US! Christmas JOY should stand for J=Jesus, O=Others, and Y=Yourselves! The JOY of Christmas is our giving and must never become about what we receive or what we wish we had gotten.
When I think of giving, I think about my role, at least what my role has been for over 50 years, Pastor. Now, I am trying to retrain to become Associate Pastor to Pastor Joane! I am not doing very well at that – I still make decisions that she should be making and finding myself trying to back out of commitments I so easily and familiarly make. The role of Pastor is to provide an earthly example for people to see a Holy God through their activities. I call my task being
“A Servant Leader”.
Jesus was the ultimate example of a Servant Leader. At the core of His leadership was the spirit of humility. When we examine the Good News – Gospels – we notice that everywhere Jesus went, He was self-abasing serving others! It was never about Him, but always about those who came to Him with any and all needs.
I think there are at least three qualities found in leadership that the whole human race is called to follow. They are not the most popular in our culture, but they are Biblical, and I always desire to follow Scriptural morals.
Humble servants always guard their motives. Motives are driven by attitudes and actions. We have to check our motives frequently if we are to stay the course. Often my attitude does not match my core being, and I must “check my attitude at the door”! I read recently that people will identify my attitude from twenty steps away! Before we even meet, others have read my attitude! With faulty attitudes comes less than desired actions. Leaders can say and do all the right things but when motives are wrong, they are doing nothing more than manipulating people for personal benefits! The JOY of Christmas begins with proper motives!
Humble servants always value others. In a message I was delivering recently, I made a very unpopular statement – “God cares less for our pets than He does for other parts of His creation!” I understand that God made your pet snake, or lizard, or even your cats and dogs, but He sent Jesus to die for His children – people! I am not quite sure, but it may be “all dogs go to Heaven” but Heaven is being constructed for people who have asked Jesus to be their Savior and Lord! Leaders will not only value people, but they will also always be trying to add value to people. To serve adequately, we must focus on others and not on ourselves.
Humble servants always leverage power for the good of others. Those in leadership have the responsibility of helping those under whose authority they lead. I am only walking if I have no one following me! But it is extremely important that no leader ever look for a position to “feather their own nest”! We have many examples from our society showing us how some leaders are abusing their power, but Jesus taught us to use our abilities and opportunities to help those who are following our lead. As out example, He never used His position or power for His own advantage, but only to help mankind. Christmas JOY will come from the inner peace of making others’ lives better!
Author John Dickson provided a powerful challenge to leaders when he describes humility as “the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources, or use your influence for the good of others before yourself…The humble person is marked by the willingness to hold power in service of others.”
Being a Servant Leader is never easy, but it is how we make our leadership count for more than just our time served!
Christmas Joy comes from deep inside. It never comes with outward stimuli, but from within us where peace is created.
May the JOY and PEACE of Christmas be ours this year!
