This year, I started meditating on Christmas early, and not just because Thanksgiving came early. God had me thinking about how the traditional elements that touch our hearts during the holiday season are actually timeless themes of faith that we could be rejoicing in all year.
The soul-stretching wonder of being called into something bigger than yourself.
God’s sovereign smile shining over Christ’s manger as earthly kings sought to eliminate potential messiahs.
The Father’s Heavenly love poured into Earth as a Baby who would model perfect relationship with Him and open the path to it.
Lately, I’ve sensed God leaning in closer, bending over me with an invitation to go deeper, lower, quieter. To let my soul receive much-needed nourishment and repair. Isn’t that what we’re all hoping for as one year closes and another begins?
More than any other time, Christmas encourages us to pause and reflect. This is why it’s so painful for us at certain points and so beautiful at others. There’s so much excitement and anticipation and bustle but also a simultaneous call to hush. To wonder and absorb. To behold.
That’s what I was sensing as I found myself drawn to some Christmas tunes early in November. God helped me realize that it was much more than the time of year calling to me. It was Him.
The Author of all Mystery. The Joyful Beckoning on the Journey. The Holy Hush amid chaos.
My encouragement to you this December is simple. Actually stop and ponder the things about Christmas that touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes. The moments that you could almost snuggle into. The moments that make you catch your breath because they ache with beauty. Some people choose to write off the wonder as a learned behavior, something the culture has taught us. Don’t pay attention to Christmas, they argue. “It’s all based on fake happiness and materialism.” However, I think that’s a very sad and limited point of view, especially for believers. Because Christmas didn’t start off in a store. As the Grinch came to realize in Dr. Seuss’ classic tale, Christmas means so much more.
I would encourage you not to discount what you feel at this time of year. Stop and savor it before God. Because it’s so much more than nostalgia that you’re sensing…it’s Him.
The One who literally moved Heaven and Earth to offer Himself to us…to you. Let Christmas be the shepherd’s staff that guides you back into His fold. Into His arms. Draw closer to Him today, and remember what He did. Why we celebrate. This simple awareness will rekindle your awe and remind you of His worthiness and your blessedness. You’ll be reminded of the great calling He’s given you, the greater purpose you’ve been equipped for. In Him. And what better way to prepare for a new year?
We’ve been taught to despise silence, slowness, simplicity. And I’m certainly not advocating that you swing to the other extreme where you relinquish responsibility or despise activity. I’m simply saying that this Christmas, we should listen to the message God is sending us through the season. Recognize that embracing continual joy in our faith is not a luxury but a necessity. And we obtain it by embracing Jesus, the Face of Christmas. The Eternal Face of the Father we desperately need.
This year, go full-on excited child all the way up to Christmas morning, and hold nothing back. Offer yourself to God in every way you can, even ways you haven’t thought of. (If you’re not sure what else you can give to Him, what else He can transform in your life, ask the Holy Spirit. He’ll have some great ideas.)
Lean in deeper. Let Him speak to you and cover everything with His presence. And your everyday will be filled with Peace. Light. Tidings of Comfort and Joy that follow you all the days of your life. Way beyond December.
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