Be a miracle, be of service

It’s Christmas! That very special time of the year when we’re all supposed to come together in good spirit and cheer to rejoice the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

However, you may have noticed that for several years now, we’ve done anything but, instead preferring to celebrate our gift-giving prowess and ability to decorate our homes gaudier than a cheap Las Vegas casino.

That’s unfortunate, because while I’m pretty certain that December 25th is not the actual birthday of Christ, the fact that once upon a time we would take a moment to honor the most blessed event in the history of the world with reverence, prayer and song was something that, as a child, I deeply appreciated and looked forward to.

Yes, I too looked forward to the Christmas presents my hardworking mother wrapped and placed under the tree, but back in the day, Christmas seemed to be in closer alignment with the story of Baby Jesus than it is now. Indeed the church seemed to have more influence and engendered much more respect than it does now. And I’m so very happy it did, because I can honestly say that I’ve been “churched.”

No, I wasn’t “churched” to the extent of being a holy roller, speaking in tongues or dancing in the aisles or stuff like that. But “churched” enough to know from where my blessings have come from. Blessings that, hopefully, will allow me to see my 70th birthday on January 3rd. Given my tattered health history, being able to make it that far on this side of an old oak tree root, is truly a blessing.

But one of the things that has weighed heavily on my heart lately with the holiday spirit in the air, is this thing called “being of service.”

Recently, I had the privilege of attending a touching retirement program at the new Dept. of Health and Human Services building near the fairgrounds. A close family friend of ours was being feted for her retirement after 37 years of service to her department, and many of her colleagues, past and present, took the time to come out and pay tribute to her selfless contributions, and helping them better do their jobs over the years.

Helping them provide needed services to the people of North Carolina.

I say that here because they said that there. Being able to do their jobs so that the taxpayer was well served was something each of the speakers said they were proud to do and represent. And it wasn’t just bureaucratic lip service. These folks were genuine. You could feel it.

For me, hearing that, and being among people who saw being of service as their primary mission, whether it was to someone without a home, or in need of mental health counseling, or didn’t have enough food, was both important and refreshing.

If you seriously think about it, what are we here for as human beings but to ultimately be of service to one another, to be there for each other. To share our humanity in countless ways that makes our GOD in heaven smile. To do what Jesus did - wash the feet of His brother and sister - and do so so that they may stand strong on the truth - that GOD loves us all. To relieve them of, and strengthen them for, the burden being tired from slings and arrows of living. To help them feel being an important part of something bigger than themselves.

Given how many times I’ve had to be hospitalized over the years, I’ve said before that while I have deep regard for every one of my doctors, I have an even deeper love and respect for every one of my nurses, because they were the ones who left their own families to come to comfort me, and administer lifesaving food, medicine and humanity to me so that I could live longer.

But the vital caring and concern each nurse gave me were right out of the song of service we all should be singing. To ask, “How may I serve you” or declare to someone that you are at their service, and mean it,  is a blessing from GOD that we should all say and mean more often, because it is what He wants of His children.

And that’s the most important part of all of this, that at this time of year, ALL of GOD’s children, no matter what their race, color, creed, gender or orientation, should be intelligent enough, and spiritual enough, to know that we are part of GOD’s creation, and should always try to act like it.

And one of the ways is by loving one another, and being of service to one another - not because someone told us to, but because we can feel it inside that it’s something our Father in Heaven would have us do every day of our lives.

We all foolishly take a lot for granted. Well let me tell you that life is not guaranteed to anyone. It could all end in the twinkling of an eye at anytime or place. And that’s why Christmas should be about more than just gift-giving, or pagan tree images, and getting drunk at office parties.

Christmas should be about reminding all of us that after another year together by the grace of GOD, we should give Him His due. We should look around, and realize that of all of the things, and all of the people that are no longer with us, He chose to give us another chance to live, to grow, to learn and to love. We are His miracles!

Our GOD in Heaven decided to give us, His children, another chance to be of service! At this very precious time of year, that very special blessing should NOT be overlooked, but be deeply appreciated!

With that, I want to wish any and ALL of you who read this commentary throughout the year, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! And I pray that Almighty GOD continues to bless you and your families.

Take care!