Elaine Harris Spearman Commentary: Christmas season is a time for self-reflection
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa! Well wishes to all others who celebrate a meaningful holiday this time of the year that we are not aware of.
Did you know that Christmas Day has a legal definition as promulgated in Black's Law Dictionary (sixth edition)? It is defined as “a festival of the Christian Church, observed on the 25th of December, in memory of the birth of Jesus Christ.”
Blacks further defines “Christian”: “As a noun it signifies one who accepts and professes to live by the doctrines and principles of the Christian religion; it does not include Mohammedans, Jews, pagans or infidels; pertaining to Jesus Christ or the religion founded by him.”
So whatever else this day consists of — meals, gifts, Santa Claus and great merriment — it is the birthday of Jesus Christ.
Those who celebrate this day have by definition accepted the doctrines and principles of the Christian religion. That is, if the celebrant calls themselves a Christian.
The year 2022 is about to be in the rear-view mirror. It is the year that was. The turbulence of 2021 followed us into 2022. No doubt the upheaval and ugliness that has occurred during 2022 will wend its way into 2023.
We are still reeling from the storms that are raging within mainline Christian churches. We are being stressed daily with everybody’s interpretation of what being a Christian means, and what it does not mean.
So many are cherry-picking chapters and verses from the Bible to support their points of view. It does not mean that they are right. Many who do this have never darkened the doors of a theological seminary. What are people to do when they profess Christianity, accept the doctrines and principles, and are yet unwelcome?
That is a rhetorical question, but we must use this season to do a lot of self-reflection. It is the only way to go forward with a humbler spirit. The church is not a private club where “only my friends and those who do my bidding shall be welcome.” This is one of the many reasons people have left certain churches.
Hopefully, the man in the mirror’s “reflections” will help us all to see that you cannot be right all of the time. Spend less time gossiping and speaking negatively about others. What if others took the same path about you? What does your life look like?
Most people do not want to be a footnote in life. So many people are in need of recognition, praise and honor. You will not get your wish by demanding that you get it or being cruel and spiteful to others. It really is true that you get what you deserve.
As we go into the new year, I share some suggestions from a special section in the USA Today Network on managing stress and setting boundaries. It will surely be needed as we enter 2023 and the new Congress convenes.
I will be following the suggestions to set tech boundaries; don’t beat yourself up; learn to respect time, yourself, and others; don’t always be on; meditate or find your own way to de-stress.
The two hardest recommendations for most people were “set family boundaries,” because most people were not taught boundaries, and “dodge well-intentioned relationship questions.”
If we do some of these things, we will create better human beings as we prayerfully enter 2023.
Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is an attorney and is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis. The opinions reflected are her own.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Elaine Harris Spearman on Christmas as time for self-reflection
