But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Love
John 3:16 reads For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
There would not be a Christmas without love. Even with all the evil in this world, God saw the people that were trying to follow Him. He sent Jesus, his son, our Prince of Peace so that we may have eternal life through Him.
How have you seen or shown God's love this Christmas season?
Joy
Good news brings joy! Joy is often a word we hear used at Christmas time. I am sure many of us have or had a “joy” ornament on our Christmas tree this year. The greatest news that has ever been given to us is the news of the birth of Jesus Christ. Even when we face trials, we can still live with joy in our hearts.
What song or scripture reminds you of the joy we have through Jesus Christ?
Peace
Have you ever felt like everything and everyone was spiraling around you, but somehow you could still find God’s joy in the situation? God gives us a spirit of peace that passes all understanding.
Philippians 4:7 says And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When you are filled with joy, peace will follow.
Is something in your life holding you back from resting in God’s perfect peace?
Patience
Have you ever thought about how much patience the three wise men must have had in following the star to find Jesus?
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2
Even after arriving at the palace of Herod, they remained calm and patient and continued on their way. Mary and Joseph also had to exuberate trust and patience with God as they waited for the birth of Jesus.
Patience is such a vital part of our Christian lives. In what area do you lack patience, and how have you seen God help you through it?
Kindness
Have you heard that quote – “kindness is free, sprinkle it everywhere you go”? I am not sure where it originated but I do love the idea of sprinkling kindness everywhere we go. When someone is kind to me, I instantly feel a positive shift in my mood. Don’t you?
Kindness way back when Jesus was born may have looked like Joseph accepting and caring for Mary on the advice of an angel. What does kindness look like today? Who do you need to show kindness to?
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Goodness
The whole story of Christmas shows us the goodness of God. God gives us a chance to reconcile our sins through Jesus Christ. It is an ultimate act of his goodness. He is good. He is always good, so so good.
The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:9
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
Faithfulness
Faith is at the core of our Christianity. The Christmas story does not shy away from acts of faithfulness. Mary conceiving by the Holy Spirit, Joseph accepting her purity, the shepherds believing the angels, and the wise men following a star – just to name a few.
The most important truth we cannot compromise from in today’s world is that Jesus is our Savior – the way, the truth, and the life. We must have faith in Him, always.
In what ways has God been faithful to you this year?
Gentleness
Can you imagine if Mary hadn’t been gentle? Was she chosen to carry Jesus partially because of her gentle spirit? I’d like to think so. She remained calm and gentle with all the changes that had happened to her so quickly. As a parent, being gentle is something I strive for daily. I want to put on the gentle nature of Jesus as I face challenges and new situations.
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
Self-control
Joseph exuberated self-control when he wanted to divorce Mary quietly, but in turn, he trusted the angel sent from God. He also did not consummate the marriage until after Jesus’ birth, as he had been asked.
Personally, I find it easier to show self-control in certain aspects of my life over others. I don’t tend to have much self-control when my hand goes into a chip bag, or my spoon goes into a tub of ice cream. I don’t always have self-control with time spent scrolling social media. But God has called us to have a spirit of self-control. If we go to Him before acting hastily, self-control will often follow.
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
In what areas do you find it easier to show self-control, and in which more difficult?