Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, one of the signs that Christmas was fast approaching, besides the cold days spent gift-shopping with my parents, and besides the rising aromas of typical foods such as “pasteles” with its rich ingredients like Yautia, green bananas, pumpkin, salt, annatto, smoked ham, pork, raisins, sofrito (stir-fry), and chickpeas, was having nice outfits to wear. If you had cousins, brothers, etc. living nearby, everyone dressed up in presentable fashion. It being a special day, Christmas required feeling good about yourself. “Don’t get dirty” our parents constantly admonished.
Of course, the real good outfits were saved for New Year’s Day. That’s when everyone spiffed up. Christmas outfits paled in comparison because the real, fashionable items were the best we’d get and wear.
If you haven’t anything to wear this Christmas, don’t fret! God has answers for you! “Answers?” you ask. “I need clothing!” you might say. Well, God’s definition of clothing and ours might differ. Read what God tells us:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
Whether you’re clothing is new or not, if you dress the way God wants us to, you’ll not have a problem! Don His attire and you’ll be sparkling, shiny, and more than spiffed up to be welcomed everywhere you go! Whatever store you walk into, compassion and kindness towards others is clearly recognized. Donning humility, gentleness and patience, are outfits desired by many observers! “My, how patient she is!” some will marvel. “I loved the way he was gentle towards the elderly couple as they tried to figure out their bearings” others will say. Yep, dress with God’s outfits, and you’ll have plenty to wear not only this Christmas, but all year long! Not all gifts will be found under a tree; Jesus’ gift of salvation hung on a tree! “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on a tree” (1Peter 2:24).
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Sam
