First, selflessness. I know it's the season of giving, but with all the shopping and the advertisements screaming, buy me! or you need this! you really have to be intentional with your thoughts. I know I really struggle with coveting, especially during the holiday season. It only takes one look at social media or one TV ad, or one look at the passing storefront window to get your mind craving for that item. Maybe it's popularity. Maybe it's wanting to feel loved. Maybe it's a car. Maybe it's a new phone. Whatever it is, it can distract us and draw us away from the reason why we celebrate Christmas. I encourage you to do a heart check and find what you're truly focused on. Are you focusing on yourself or on others? Are you putting Jesus first, or your feelings first?

So for the second thing, I picked cheerfulness. Yes, most of the time people are happy during the holidays because of all the food, pretty lights and gifts, but what about after the holidays? Also, examine your hearts and ask yourself if you would still be cheerful if you had nothing. If you're only cheerful when everything is going well, is that truly cheerfulness? 

Lastly, it's important to be compassionate, especially during these months, because although many of us will be spending Christmas in a warm, cozy home with family, many are hungry and cold, and they need help - your help. You know that passage in the Bible where Jesus tells the parable of the sheep and the goats? (If you haven't, you can read about it here.) Jesus tells us that "as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me" (Matt. 25:40). My church does an outreach called Toys for Joy, and it gives under-privileged families a chance to give their kids Christmas presents. It's amazing how many people donate toys and resources. Christmastime isn't the only time to show compassion. You can show it all year long. For me, compassion is one of my weaknesses. I have a bold, prideful, stubborn personality that can make it hard for me to sympathize with others, sometimes. It's one of those things that I have to continuously work at because if I don't, nothing will happen. In fact, my compassion would probably disappear if I didn't work at it and ask God for help. Exercising good habits is just like stretching a muscle. If you don't continuously stretch it, it can feel uncomfortable. But the more you do it, the more flexible you become. That goes for all three of these traits. You've got to actually practice these things daily in order to get used to showing them. Selflessness is a struggle for me as well. Like I said, I tend to have a prideful attitude. Selflessness sure is hard when you think about you first! In order to grow this trait, you have to say no to yourself and say yes to God. As for cheerfulness, that's a matter of thankfulness and contentedness.

There are twelve days until Christmas. I want you to pray for guidance from God on how to best prepare yourself for this season. Pray for selflessness, cheerfulness and compassion, especially. Those are definitely things the world needs more of and could benefit from. I know it can be hard to exercise these traits, but with Christ's strength, I also know you will be able to accomplish it. Have a blessed day, and stay tuned for upcoming 12 Days of Christmas 2017 posts!

It's Music Monday! Today's pick is "Guard Your Heart" by 1GN. These days, it's hard to find songs with good musicality and positive, wholesome messages. Personally, I like pop and dance music, but the majority of songs in that genre sadly tend to have inappropriate lyrics. One reason why I like "Guard Your Heart" is because of the perfect blend of a pure, biblical message and great musicality. It has a fun beat and great lyrics that encourage. The song talks about guarding your heart from the temptations in this world and saving yourself for marriage. Though the ways of the world may look beautiful and easy, they're actually sugar-coated lies. Romans 12:2 says:

So you see, if you refrain from conforming to the pattern of this world, you'll be able to understand God's good, pleasing and perfect will.

Don't just live for the moment. Live for Jesus or, as Capital Kings and Royal Tailor sing, be "living for the other side." Every decision you make now affects what will happen after life. When you are tempted to give in, pray that you will "keep your faith and guard your heart," as it says in the song.

Proverbs 4:23-27 NIV (emphasis added) states:

As 1GN say themselves,

Therefore...know your worth, because you are priceless, and GUARD YOUR HEART.