Adorning Our Spirits

Each year as Christmas approaches I look forward to pulling the boxes of seasonal decorations out of the garage. Our family has so much fun adorning the house and garnishing our beautiful tree with tinsel, trimmings, and ornaments. As I anticipated once again our holiday décor, I began thinking about a passage of Scripture in 1 Peter 3:1–4 which says, “Likewise ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they uphold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

Sometimes we become so wrapped up in our holiday preparations, we forget the importance of adorning our spirits for Christmas. Just as beautiful decorations cannot mask a home that has anger or bitterness, physical adornment cannot replace the grace and beauty of a meek and quiet spirit.

Meekness is “enduring injury with patience and without resentment.” As we gather with family and friends this Christmas, we must be careful how we react to difficult situations. Are we in control of our behavior even when we feel that we are being treated unjustly?

The second ornament we should put on this Christmas is quietness. This does not mean that we should never talk, laugh, and have a good time; rather, it means that we are marked by gentleness. We are easy going and a soothing presence in our home. So before we adorn the tree this year, let’s put on the ornaments of a meek and quiet spirit and make this a Christmas our families will never forget!