The Spirit of Christmas
Lisa M. Samra Our Daily Bread Ministries https://odb.org/ All rights reserved-Published with permission The Spirit of Christmas Bible in a Year : Daniel 3-4 1 John 5 Whatever you did for one of the least of these . . . you did for me. Matthew 25:40 Today's Scripture & Insight : Matthew 25:34-40 At a Christmas dinner held at our church to celebrate the cultures of the international guests, I joyfully clapped along to the sound of the darbuka (a type of drum) and the oud (a guitar-like instrument) as a band played the traditional Middle Eastern carol, “Laylat Al-Milad.” The band’s singer explained the title means “Nativity Night.” The lyrics remind hearers that the spirit of Christmas is found in serving others, in ways like offering a thirsty person water or comforting someone weeping. This carol likely draws from a parable where Jesus commends His followers for deeds they’d done for Him: providing food when He was hungry, drink when He was thirsty, and companionship and ca...