Dying to the Lure of Christmas Lights

It's nearing Christmastime. I love Christmas, but could sometimes go without all of the capitalistic obnoxiousness. No, I don't want to buy every red and green thing you have to offer. Thanks, but no. I'm reminded, during this particular time of year, of how self-saturated I really am, however. I may not fall prey to all of the commercials and other consumer entrapments, but I do slip into a self-satisfaction 'mode' where Christmas all of a sudden becomes about me and my enjoyment of the holidays. It was especially evident to me, as Christmastime coincided with my reading of John Calvin's excerpt on self-denial coupled with the convicting passage in Philippians. One of Calvin's comments struck me, "Nothing is more difficult than to forsake all carnal thoughts, to subdue and renounce our false appetites, and to devote ourselves to God and to our brethren, and to live the life of angels in a world of corruption". Yeah, in a "world of corruption". I think John Calvin just described my American Christmas. Philippians 2:3-4 sings a similar tune, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others". Well, there goes any last shred of my Christmas staying intact. I have a whole holiday built around and for me. Yet, Paul doesn't see it that way. Neither does Calvin. Neither does our Lord. This Christmas, what a radical thing it would be to put off my own interests and desires, to seek after the good of others, all in the name of Jesus and for his glory alone. I am called to humble myself this Christmas, and every day to follow. I am to pursue my God in absolute humility, serving him by serving others.