But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. -Galatians 5:22-23

Often when we read Galatians 5:22-23, we believe it is telling us to work harder at producing the fruit of the Spirit: we need to have more love, more joy, more peace, more kindness, more faithfulness, and more self-control. But that is not what it says! It says we are to be so in love with Jesus that the Holy Spirit controls us. As we are propelled by the Spirit, the fruit that is produced will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is not our job to bear these fruit by our own power; it is our job to be more like Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. 

This Holiday Season, pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, that He may fill your life with the Fruit of the Spirit. The greatest gifts you can give to others this Christmas (and year-round!) are the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Sharing this Fruit with the people around you will reflect Jesus’ love in a tangible way.

Last month we asked the local churches of FEC what they do to share Christ’s love with their community during the holiday season. The responses we received were tremendous – generous, creative, and inspiring.

As people read more about how our churches serve others during the Christmas season, it is our prayer that they will be inspired to do something themselves. Impacting your community doesn’t have to be expensive – it can be as simple as sharing the Fruit of the Spirit with the people around you, serving them with love and joy.