When you give up yourself, that's when you will feel the true

Host: The flickering of the candlelight casts gentle shadows across the room, a soft glow that feels both warm and peaceful. The soft hum of a holiday song plays quietly in the background, its tune familiar and comforting. Outside, the world is quiet, the snow falling in soft layers on the ground, blanketing everything in a still, serene quiet. Jeeny sits by the window, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea, staring out into the evening sky. Jack, leaning against the wall nearby, watches the room, his gaze focused but distant, like he’s lost in thought.

Jeeny: “Jack, I read something today that made me think about Christmas in a new way,” she says softly, breaking the silence. “It’s from Joel Osteen. He said, ‘When you give up yourself, that’s when you will feel the true spirit of Christmas. And that’s giving, that’s serving others, and that’s when you feel fulfilled.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He raises an eyebrow slightly, a hint of skepticism in his expression. “Give up yourself? That sounds a bit much. Christmas is supposed to be about joy and celebration, right? But it sounds like he’s saying we have to lose ourselves in the process of giving. Isn’t that too much pressure? What about enjoying the season for what it is?”

Jeeny: She smiles gently, setting her cup down. “I think he’s saying that true joy comes from the act of giving, not just the gifts we receive. It’s not about losing yourself, but rather finding a deeper sense of meaning in helping others. The spirit of Christmas isn’t just in the decorations or the festivities; it’s in the selflessness, the way we reach out and make someone else’s life a little brighter.”

Host: The soft glow of the candlelight makes the room feel cozy, as if the warmth of the conversation is mirroring the warmth of the season itself. Jeeny speaks with a quiet conviction, while Jack remains thoughtful, processing what she said.

Jack: “But isn’t there something to be said for taking some time for yourself too? I mean, we’re all so caught up in the rush of the holidays, the buying, the planning, the trying to make everything perfect. What happens to taking care of ourselves, to enjoying the season for what it is? Sometimes, it feels like giving so much to others can leave you feeling drained.”

Jeeny: “I understand that, Jack. But I think the giving Osteen talks about doesn’t just mean giving physical gifts or serving on a grand scale. It’s about those small moments — the kindness, the thoughtfulness, the ways we reach out to the people around us. It’s in those moments that we experience a fulfillment that doesn’t come from things or achievements, but from connection. When we give of ourselves, in whatever way feels right, we don’t just bring joy to others; we bring it to ourselves.”

Host: The rain begins to fall softly outside, its rhythmic tapping against the window pane adding a quiet, almost meditative sound to their conversation. Inside, there is a deep stillness as the words settle between them, the idea of giving and fulfillment weaving a quiet understanding in the space.

Jack: “I get what you’re saying. True giving, the kind that comes from a place of love and care, doesn’t drain you. It fills you up. I think I’ve always thought of Christmas as more of a time to receive and enjoy. But maybe, in giving to others, we really do find the meaning of the season. It’s not just about receiving — it’s about what we give and how we connect.”

Jeeny: “Exactly,” she says, her voice soft and filled with warmth. “The spirit of Christmas is about the little moments of selflessness, the ways we care for others. Whether it’s through a smile, a helping hand, or even just taking the time to listen. And when we do that, it’s like we’re filling our own hearts in ways we didn’t expect. Fulfillment comes from giving in those quiet, meaningful ways.”

Host: The candlelight flickers again, casting its gentle light on Jeeny and Jack, as if their conversation about the true spirit of Christmas has brought even more warmth into the room. The world outside, with its soft snow and quiet evening, seems to reflect the peace that now settles between them.

Jack: “Maybe that’s what Christmas really is about — finding joy not in what we get, but in what we give. And when we do that, we end up with more than we could have imagined.”

Jeeny: She smiles, a quiet affirmation of the understanding between them. “Exactly. Christmas isn’t about perfection or how much we do. It’s about the love we share, the time we give, and the fulfillment that comes from opening our hearts to others.”

Host: As the rain continues to fall, the room feels still, filled with a soft peace. Jeeny and Jack sit in the quiet, contemplating the true spirit of Christmas — not just in the decorations or the traditions, but in the small, often quiet moments of giving, of connecting, and of feeling fulfilled in a way that goes beyond presents or celebrations. The gift of Christmas lies not in what we receive, but in what we give to others, and in the joy we find in sharing it.