Christmas Kindness

According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, nearly half of U.S. adults (47%) believe public behavior is declining. The survey results indicate that many participants feel the general public has become ruder since the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant minority (34%) reported witnessing rude behavior in public "almost always" or "often" in their daily lives.
Whether it's bullying in schools, hateful political discourse, social media trolling, fake reviews, self-centeredness, lack of compassion, or profanity-laced communication, the world is not kind!

Therefore, one of the greatest ways to share the Gospel is by living out the commands of kindness found in the Scriptures. In both public perception and the reality of rudeness, being kind in a mean world serves as a tremendous witness for Christ. People can't help but notice the difference when you treat others right, especially those with whom you may not necessarily agree or even like. Sometimes, people—including those we love—may hurt us. In those moments, when feelings of revenge or isolation bombard your mind, it’s important to remember examples of kindness in Scripture. A powerful example is the story of Christmas and Joseph's actions after learning of Mary's pregnancy.
Remember that the angel didn't visit Joseph until after Mary shared the news, which initially seemed unbelievable to him. Nonetheless, before the angel came to confirm this unprecedented news about the Messiah's conception, Joseph planned to do the right thing by not publicly embarrassing Mary for what appeared to be an adulterous affair.

Matthew 1:18-25 says, "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph, her husband, was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."

Notice that Joseph treated Mary with kindness, even though it seemed that she had wronged him. His actions reflect the compassion that God shows us, as He does not seek to remind us of our sins. Instead, He sent His Son to erase them. This Christmas, consider whom you can extend kindness to.

Proverbs 11:17 says, "Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you."