It’s that time of year again where we get to Jingle Bell Rock our way through the stores and wrap gifts through the Silent Night. Wait…shhhhh…Hark! The herald children screams as they run through the decked halls! What child is this who should be sound asleep all nestled in their beds with sugar plums dancing in their heads. Instead, Tommy is pretending to be the Drummer Boy while Cindy called me names. Mom is sitting on her bed with Christmas wrapping and closing her eyes dreaming of Christmas shoes all to herself. All she wants for Christmas are 5 goooooolden things.
Joy.
Peace.
Grace.
Love.
Simplicity.
Linus in Charlie Brown Christmas had it right. He walked out onto the stage with his blanket. The lights went dim. He recited Luke 2:8-14.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The angel begins with “good tidings of great joy”. I don’t know about you but I don’t see much of that going around. I see parents who are frustrated because there is so much to do and kids who have a bad case of the gimmies.
How can we stop all of that and bring out the happiness about Christmas?
How can we make it all about Him?
I really do believe that we need to take the pressure and expectations off ourselves. Take the time to notice the small things throughout the year. Look each other in the eyes when you talk. Notice the beauty of the trees in all their seasons. Value moments over materials at all times.
During this time of year, take JOY in the pretty colors you see — the peppermint in your coffee — and most of all that God’s wish for us is Good tidings of great joy.
God did this for us!
A savior is born!
We no longer need to live in sin.
At one time, we could only be saved by doing some pretty gruesome things such as sacrificing an animal. God saw his people who needed saving and didn’t just throw his hands up and walk away. He sent a Savior to live amongst His people and show them how to be in God’s image. That is the best kind of leadership you can have and what a gift!!
God has offered us the gift of PEACE by sending a way for our sins to be forgiven. I am so incredibly thankful for that! We can find peace by asking for forgiveness and saying thank you to our merciful Lord.
Who was this savior that was sent to us? Was it a grand king who was dressed in the finest gold? No, He was sent as a humble baby whose name is Jesus our Christ. A name so special
it was announced by an angel to a humble soon-to-be mom named Mary. I still can’t imagine being chosen for such a task as this. She was carrying a living God within her womb. A God who knew it was best to be among His people. He could have sat on a throne as big as the one in heaven. After all, that is what He is worthy of. Instead, He wanted to show us that He is full of GRACE and mercy. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He still offers us that gift to us today. All we need to do is trust in Him. Lean into Him.
Look at the numbers on the verses of the Bible rather than the price tag in the store.
I have teenage girls and what they wear and don’t wear is so important. The thought of their mom going Christmas shopping, alone, without them almost terrifies them. They love thrift store shopping. So, it’s not the brand that bothers them. It’s the color, the style, the length, the frills, or the lack of frills that I can’t get right. But, that is the season of teenagers and that too shall pass.
Mary and Joseph had the option of swaddling clothes or whatever they could find. The important thing was that their baby was warm and felt loved. Little did they know that He was the one that would show the LOVE to the world by dying on the cross in very little clothes. It’s what is in our hearts and what we radiate to others just as Jesus does that matters.
Last of all, he was born in a manger. A simple collection of wood connected together and padded with hay. We all need simplicity at times. I have often caught myself saying that I feel like I praise God 11 months of the year. The twelfth month, which is designated for celebrating His simple birth, becomes the craziest month of the year. Just as Jesus demonstrated to Mary and Martha…keep it simple.
At the end of Linus’ speech, he looks at Charlie Brown and says “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” I challenge you to find your 5 Golden Things of Joy, Peace, Grace, Love, and Simplicity. Talk to your family and friends and get them to join in with you. Joy to the World the Lord has come! Oh come, let us adore him! Unto you, I wish you a very merry Christmas!
Kellie Maguire
Kellie has been married for 16 years to her husband, Kevin. Together they have three children and she has a step-son (who lives with his mom). They have moved around the country many times and are finally growing their roots in their small town.
Kellie’s faith in God is extremely important to her. She has been through many mountains and valleys and the Lord has gotten her through. She loves to ride her bike, write, watch movies, and is very involved in her children’s lives. Being a Mom is her favorite role in life. She values her faith, family, love, and friendships.
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