Our adversary doesn't take holidays off!

I Peter 5:8-10
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].

I have been reminded of this repeatedly in the last few days.  The Bible mentions that it is the little foxes that spoil the vines.  Remember...nothing new under the sun!  It is those "little things" that satan will use over the next few days to render us ineffective for God!  He has already been at work, and I have teetered in my steadfastness. 
I will not give place to the devil. 
I can't.
It is a choice I must make with God's strength! 
My mind went to I Corinthians 13, this morning, as I thought back at how satan has been attacking me...I feel his teeth.

"Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity."
1Cor. 16:14 "Let all your things be done with charity."
 
It doesn't matter what else is happening around you...or to you...or about you.  Those things will affect you, but how will you respond?  What matters most, is what is happening in you!  What is inside your heart will be seen in your outside actions this Christmas season...and every other day of every other season!  You can try to be on your best behavior, but when the adversary is prowling...seeking whom he may devour...he will stop at nothing!  He won't "play fair".  He will use those closest to you.  He will use stangers.  He may even twist and distort and use God's Word.
 
Satan doesn't want us to have joy and peace as God's children on normal, ordinary days.  What makes us think he will take this season off?  I think, he is harder at work during the holidays!  He knows how we work ourselves into stressful situations, lack sleep, eat poorly, always on the go, spend crazily, plan for perfect, and gather with people we love...or tolerate.  He throws the darts...and our true spirits pour out.
 
Christmas is remembering the birth of God's Son...the Savior...our Redeemer...our Heavenly Father.  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."  Did you forget what Christmas is about?
 
Don't be fooled...satan remembers!