Getting Caught up in the Spirit

The Atonement is the crescendo of Christ's ministry.  It is the moment when he pardons us all from the bondage of our sins.  It is not a singular moment in time, it is a continuous gift spanning all of space and time.  We only need to accept this gift, it is freely given to all.  Others may not forgive you but as Christ said "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14)
So while the hearts of others may be hardened towards you, the heart of God will welcome you. 
It strikes me as odd that though it is wonderful that people become caught up in the spirit of Christmas, that it is only during the Christmas season that they embody the spirit of Christ and become as compassionate as He was.  Because from my reading of scripture we are to be that loving, forgiving and compassionate throughout the seasons of our lives.
Christ gave us the template by which to pattern our own lives by, he is the center that our moral compass guides us by.
And many consider themselves to be His disciples but I think we ought to guide our understanding of discipleship by His definition: " A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)
It is not by our name plates or our hair cut, whether or not we shave, drink, smoke or by which Church we attend that Christ will recognize us as His disciples, it is by our love according to his own words that will be proof of our discipleship.
Thinking that going to a specific Church is what makes you a true Christian is akin to thinking standing in a garage is what makes you a car.
So Jesus seems to care less about how many scripture verses you know, how many of the Prophets talks you have memorized, than he does the way in which you treat others and even yourself.  Love, even a little, can change lives just a faith a tiny as a mustard seed can move mountains.
By all means get caught up in the spirit of the season but try and get caught up in the spirit of Christ every day instead of every year.  The spirit itself is a blessing to you and to all those around you.