Temperance.  Is this word even possible during the Christmas season of eating?  Ever since our neighborhood caroling this past Sunday evening, our family has been receiving plate after plate of goodies.  I can’t begin to describe to you all these fat calories I have seen loaded on plates.  They come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors.  Tuesday night, just when I thought I had sampled enough from one plate and firmly resolved to eat no more, another plate arrives.  The doorbell kept ringing till almost 10:00 that night.  I can see where only the Holy Spirit can enable one with a sweet tooth to have any sense of self-control during Christmas.  When Peter says, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith . . . temperance”, I find the Christmas season to be an excellent testing ground for this Christian character trait.  Don’t you think?

I have so enjoyed all the rich feasting that I have had trouble holding my appetite in check.  In our abundance of goodies, how easy it is for our bellies to become as fluffy as the snow outside.