The Promise Of Fellowship

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.

1 John 1:7

The festive spirit of Christmas is captured perfectly in the beloved carol “Deck the Halls”: “’Tis the season to be jolly . . . strike the harp and join the chorus . . . sing we joyous all together . . .” It’s not hard to picture friends and family together enjoying fellowship while they “deck the halls with boughs of holly.”

The evergreen garlands that line stairs, mantels, doors, and windows at Christmas create a festive venue that speaks of gathering together with friends at Christmas—and year-round as well. The pine and cedar boughs we use to “deck the halls” today are just another way of saying to guests that they’ve entered a setting of warmth and celebration. The smell of evergreen, mixed with enticing aromas from the Christmas kitchen, communicates Christmas love to those who gather in your home this Christmas season. Christmas is a perfect time to show our love for Christ by opening our homes to those who share that love.

Why not have some friends in for a post-Christmas time of sharing—while the garlands are still fresh and the cider and cookies still plentiful? Christmas fellowship is a great way to prepare for living close to those you love for the rest of the year.