For a week or so after the “Merry Christmases” have become but lingering echoes, everyone wishes each other a “Happy New Year!” We say it with the best of intentions but it’s sort of like “Have a great day!” We say it without thinking and, when we say things without thinking, then they sort of lose their meaning.

What would it really take for us to have a “Happy New Year”? All of us, when we ponder this question, will discover that the things we think about are either completely out of our control, or they are based on our attitude.

But, wait a second, when we say “Happy New Year,” aren’t we really wishing it for someone else? Can we do anything to make sure that that person really has a happy 2008?

Chances are we can, at least a little bit. It brings us back to the story of Christmas. We say that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” And, sure that is true. But, to God, WE are the reason for the season. He sent His son selflessly for us. He didn’t send Him so that He could “Have a happy next 33 years,” He sent Him so that we could have an awesome eternity.

In 2008, what would it look like if we tried to be as selfless as God? What if we can forget about our own Happy New Years and instead focus only on the Happy New Years of others? Would it include extra charity, kind words, thoughts, and notes, additional time helping others, forgiveness, grace and compassion?

What an opportunity we have! For, if we can really live this out, we might find that our own happiness is not in the things of this world but in being Jesus to others.