I love Christmastime. I love that the air has a snap to it. I love homes decked with glittering lights and lovely decorations. I love thoughtfully choosing gifts for those who are tender in my heart. I love Christmas Carols that lift my spirit in remembrance of the greatest gift ever given - the Son of God to an unworthy world. I love the Christmas Cards, and yes, the Christmas letters as well. The more I hear from friends and family, the better I like it; we are connecting in a world that pulls us apart.
Oh, I hear the complaints that Christmas is nothing but commercialism, with expensive gifts and garish decorations. I have seen the worries that nobody knows those old Christmas Carols anymore and the diatribes against Christmas cards and letters. Perhaps it isn’t the commercialism, but the cynicism that is the problem? An attitude of “Bah Humbug” seems to be contagious, these days.
But if the coming of the long-awaited Messiah, God born into the flesh of man, causes your heart to overflow with joy and gratitude, then celebration with a capital “C” is in order, isn’t it? Oh, I know we all celebrate differently, and that’s fine. But let’s enjoy each other, and each other’s celebrations, during this season of joy.
Oh, I hear the complaints that Christmas is nothing but commercialism, with expensive gifts and garish decorations. I have seen the worries that nobody knows those old Christmas Carols anymore and the diatribes against Christmas cards and letters. Perhaps it isn’t the commercialism, but the cynicism that is the problem? An attitude of “Bah Humbug” seems to be contagious, these days.
But if the coming of the long-awaited Messiah, God born into the flesh of man, causes your heart to overflow with joy and gratitude, then celebration with a capital “C” is in order, isn’t it? Oh, I know we all celebrate differently, and that’s fine. But let’s enjoy each other, and each other’s celebrations, during this season of joy.
God spared no expense in sending His one and only Son, and He announced His coming with a sky full of angels proclaiming glory! He proclaimed the savior’s birth clearly – through the angels’ announcement to the shepherds and through the promises of old to the wise men. God is still lavishly proclaiming His love for us, with His daily tender care.
And, so, what can we do to express our love to those we care for, and to show our gratitude to Him for His mighty gift, in this set-aside season? You know, the ways will be as different as our families. The important thing isn’t that we celebrate alike, but that we celebrate! Take time to sing His praises. Set aside a moment to jot a note or two to people you love. Share a meal with friends or family to reconnect and most importantly, be still before the Lord and make sure He knows how very grateful you are for His most precious gift.
And, so, what can we do to express our love to those we care for, and to show our gratitude to Him for His mighty gift, in this set-aside season? You know, the ways will be as different as our families. The important thing isn’t that we celebrate alike, but that we celebrate! Take time to sing His praises. Set aside a moment to jot a note or two to people you love. Share a meal with friends or family to reconnect and most importantly, be still before the Lord and make sure He knows how very grateful you are for His most precious gift.
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:13-14
We are pretty traditional in my family. We bake tons of iced and sprinkled cookies to share, we haul an evergreen home from the grocery store parking lot and swirl it with ornaments and lights to give joy to those who pass our windows. We want our neighbors to see the bright star, and remember Bethlehem. We want them to see the angel decorations and remember that chorus in the Judean hills. We hope that when we share a plate of cookies and one of those famous Christmas letters with them, they will understand we are sharing a bit of ourselves.
Of course, you don’t have to bake cookies! Maybe you like to drive around and look at light displays and talk about them with your kids. Maybe you enjoy attending your church’s choir concert and listening to the truths of Scripture, set down in song. Perhaps you snuggle together around nightly Scripture readings, or tenderly selected books to lead your heart through your advent preparations. After all, it really isn't HOW you celebrate that is important, but WHO you celebrate!
Our Grandfather once wrote: Should we temper our elation that God has given the greatest gift of all time? Should we not sing and feast and decorate and celebrate? Should we not lift our voices with laughter and praise and hug our families or even the stranger? Should we not share everything God’s given us? Including the reason for our happiness? Should we not open wide our doors, our purse-strings, and our hearts? Yes, a resounding yes!
Sometimes the dark news of the encroaching world threatens to temper our celebrations. Perhaps the rolled-eyes of unbelieving family or the dire state of our checkbook balance makes us feel our celebration has no place this year. Dear One – don’t believe it!
Remember the shepherds on the Judean hills? They ran to worship the newborn babe, and they had very little of earthly means and lived in a time when God had not been heard from for 400 years. Let us do likewise – run to Him, in worship and celebration!
Today – as we lean forward to see the nearness of Christmas – purpose to celebrate Jesus. Make sure there is no “Bah Humbug” in your heart – for Jesus is Come! Let His praises ring!
Dearest Father, praise Your Holy Name for sending us the emancipator of us all. May the joy and glory that surrounds this season be directed toward You, our loving God. Amen.
Remembering the Reason for the Season,
Patti and Cara
Classic Christianity
Of course, you don’t have to bake cookies! Maybe you like to drive around and look at light displays and talk about them with your kids. Maybe you enjoy attending your church’s choir concert and listening to the truths of Scripture, set down in song. Perhaps you snuggle together around nightly Scripture readings, or tenderly selected books to lead your heart through your advent preparations. After all, it really isn't HOW you celebrate that is important, but WHO you celebrate!
Our Grandfather once wrote: Should we temper our elation that God has given the greatest gift of all time? Should we not sing and feast and decorate and celebrate? Should we not lift our voices with laughter and praise and hug our families or even the stranger? Should we not share everything God’s given us? Including the reason for our happiness? Should we not open wide our doors, our purse-strings, and our hearts? Yes, a resounding yes!
Sometimes the dark news of the encroaching world threatens to temper our celebrations. Perhaps the rolled-eyes of unbelieving family or the dire state of our checkbook balance makes us feel our celebration has no place this year. Dear One – don’t believe it!
Remember the shepherds on the Judean hills? They ran to worship the newborn babe, and they had very little of earthly means and lived in a time when God had not been heard from for 400 years. Let us do likewise – run to Him, in worship and celebration!
Today – as we lean forward to see the nearness of Christmas – purpose to celebrate Jesus. Make sure there is no “Bah Humbug” in your heart – for Jesus is Come! Let His praises ring!
Dearest Father, praise Your Holy Name for sending us the emancipator of us all. May the joy and glory that surrounds this season be directed toward You, our loving God. Amen.
Remembering the Reason for the Season,
Patti and Cara
Classic Christianity
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