How many of you don't find holidays a very peaceful time? Especially as Christians, we want to tell people about the real meaning of Christmas, but it all gets lost in the trappings, in the trees, and in the wreaths and gifts.

Jesus gets lost, so naturally we find it our job many times to put Jesus back in. That is great, except when it is at the expense of people.

Many times we talk about the Bible or God with unsaved family and it can be incredibly divisive, causing a lot of strife and arguments. People see different things different ways, especially during this season when tradition really takes root.

But remember this: God is a people-God. He wants us to have the best, but He loves us enough to let us decide. For the sake of building good relationships, let your family have their own opinions. Your witness should be one of love.

Start praying now. Pray for those people you don't agree with. Pray for them now and by the time you get to the holiday, don?t preach at them (they already know by your lifestyle what you believe). Build relationships.

Your perspective simply needs to be this: love people. I'm going to go there and make it my mission to love so-and-so and just ask things about him or her.

Here's another one to focus on: make sure that you are nice to your own family. We get so wrapped up in the bustle that sometimes we take it out on our own children or spouse.

So, how to have peace during this holiday season? Love people. Just love them. For example:

• Be patient (when you are in line at the stores)
• Be kind
• Don't behave rudely (behave nicely & act with manners)
• Don't seek your own
• Don't be provoked
• Don't think about evil things or about offenses against others

Let's try to ignore the human side of people during this time of year... and just love them.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always "me first," doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always...

Always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.
(1 Cor. 13:4-7)

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