Mark 9:50 English Standard Version (ESV) “Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

It is the season for the use of salt. Everything tastes better if salted properly. Too much salt is over seasoning and the food is ruined.

Forgive the play on words here but it should be obvious that not everyone celebrates Christmas in the same manner or for the same reasons. Some do not even use the word Christmas. More and more we see the world trying to take Christ out of Christmas. Law suits have been filed.

Law suits do not make for peace. In our opening verse it is important to note that the use of salt is meant to bring peace and harmony.

Happy holidays, season greetings, and a handful of standard greetings will be heard more and more as that day approaches. Correcting the greeting as if we are insulted for a slight does not make for peace. How we conduct ourselves in those moments should be seasoned with grace. Being gracious is not being weak. The enemy of Christ wants us to react badly. Don’t give him the satisfaction.

Romans 14:5 English Standard Version (ESV) One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

Nor is it right to flaunt those opinions as an accusation at another person. Do those things which make for peace. Romans 5 warns us not to become a stumbling block or a hindrance. We make peace so that the way to acceptance of our Lord is not blocked by our own judgments, actions, or words.

May the God of mercy bless us all.