I am writing this post in my short time available before having my dinner and then shooting off to church for Christmas eve service. I have been so busy at work (no more leaves available to take) that Christmas is almost the last thing i am thinking of. Sure, I have got all the gifts ready for the so-called “essential” people - i.e. family members and in-laws.

But, I don’t really feel the Christmas spirit? Do you?

How would you define the Christmas spirit?

Would it be in terms of family festivities? A friendly smile between strangers? The sound of familiar carols being sung in busy shopping malls? Or receiving greeting sms from old friends? Or a green tree wrapped in shinning lights and colourful gifts? A big fat grinning man dressed like Santa? Or is it the good feeling you get at this time of the year?

Actually none of this capture the essence of Christmas. It is merely the outward atmosphere created by man that is often totally alien to the real significance of Christ birth.

What then is the Christmas spirit, you ask?

An author by the name of JI Packer , in his book, Knowing God wrote:

We talk glibly of the ‘Christmas spirit’, rarely meaning more by this than sentimental jollity on a family basis. But what we have said makes it clear that the phrase should in fact carry a tremendous weight of meaning. It ought to mean the reproducing in human lives of the temper of Him who for our sakes became poor at the first Christmas. And the Christmas spirit itself ought to be the mark of every Christian all the year round.

For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor - spending, and being spent - to enrich their fellowmen, giving time, trouble, care and concern to do good to others - and not just their own friends - in whatever way there seems need.

“Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.“

Men or women who live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor - spending, and being spent - to enrich their fellowmen, giving time, trouble, care and concern to do good to others - and not just their own friends - in whatever way there seems need. That sums it up well.

To the citizens who brave the rain, the opposition from our own government & the treats of imprisonment, all to appeal our King to defend the democratic rights of all citizens on 10th November, you folks in Bersih - I salute all of you - You showed the Christmas spirit!

To the citizens and leaders who turn up and was beaten with water, with sticks and sent to prison and arrested under ISA, I salute you all - You showed to us the Christmas spirit!

To all the bloggers who spent time, energy, and money to enrich your fellow citizens with your perspectives and uncovering lies and deception - to all those who have fought for a better Malaysia despite no rewards, no appreciation but only death threats, threats of imprisonment and defending smear campaign by those that want us to believe lies - I salute you - You showed the Christmas spirit!

I love Malaysia and I see hope in this nation, because of people like the leaders of Bersih, leaders of Hindraf and people like Uncle Kit, Zorro, Malik Imtiaz, Bakri Musa, Haris Ibrahim, Jeff Ooi and Farish and many many more - you all have showed the Christmas spirit - spending and being spent to enrich your fellowmen!

Have a blessed Christmas!

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