Category: Christmas

These posts are about searching for Jesus during Advent. From decorations to Christmas songs, we can see God if we look for Him.

Advent Reflections

Posted on by Wendy
In the midst of the busyness of the season, we can still choose to make room for Jesus.

I recently read a post from Max Lucado where he focused on the inn keeper in Bethlehem when Joseph and Mary, his very pregnant wife, were looking for a place to stay for the night. He missed a personal encounter with Jesus, likely not because he was evil, but because he was busy.

This man could have had a front seat to the Divine becoming one of us, but he missed it because his focus was elsewhere. He had the opportunity to serve the living God right where he was, doing his current occupation. He wouldn’t have had to leave his home or job or even learn to speak eloquently. He could have shared what he had, but he didn’t.

We don’t know his name, but we all know this particular chapter of his story.

Lucado has a way of focusing on the nameless folks in the Bible that end up showing up over and over again, even without names. He once wrote about the person who owned the donkey that Jesus rode on in the Triumphal Entry.

In Matthew 21:1-3 Jesus said, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

We never learn the donkey owner’s name, but we all know his story too. He said yes, when Jesus asked.

Notice how certain Jesus was of the donkey owner’s reaction? I can’t help but wonder if Jesus is that certain of my reaction when He asks something of me to be used for kingdom work.

Do I tend to be more like the inn keeper or the donkey owner?

As Christmas draws near, it seems like a great time to reflect upon the space in our own hearts. We still have the opportunity to make room for Jesus. Even thought we are living through a busy and sometimes stressful season, the invitation still remains.

Advent reminds us that it doesn’t matter whether or not people will remember our choices and names because God will. We can intentionally choose to be like the inn keeper or the donkey owner.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too!

Have an awesome day and a Merry Christmas! I will be spending time with family and will not be posting over the holidays. I hope to see you back in this space in the New Year.

Wendy 🙂

The Call to be Light Bearers

Posted on by Wendy
We too, can offer light in dark places.

My family and I recently visited a Christmas light show. We chose our ticket time carefully because we wanted to be sure it was completely dark. Who wants to watch a light show in the daylight? We were not disappointed. Even though it was overcast and misting rain, the lights were spectacular against the dark night.

As we get ready to celebrate the birth of Christ, it makes perfect sense that it’s the darkest time of year. We have less daylight this time of year than any other time. In fact, December 21st is the longest night of the year. That darkness allows the lights shine even brighter.

As people of faith, we look towards the spiritual light that Christmas represents.

The prophet Isaiah said it this way, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

In his Gospel, John wrote about Jesus, “In him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” John 1:4 and “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.”

While we all like to focus on Christmas being the most wonderful time of the year, I think it’s important to remember that it’s a really dark time for many people. We live in a broken world. There is sickness, death, loneliness and heartbreak on this side of eternity and for some, the Christmas season magnifies loss.

But, as people of faith we are called to be bearers of the true light of the season. Like the Christmas lights that we see everywhere, we are called to shine in the darkness. There are so many ways we can choose to act differently than the world expects us to.

We can give to charities or buy toys for the less fortunate. We can invite someone to a Christmas Eve service. We can let someone out ahead of us in traffic. We can offer a reassuring smile to the frazzled mama with the screaming toddler, at the grocery store or stop to chat with the elderly man at the hardware store. We can pay for the person behind us in the drive thru line or post kind encouraging words on social media. We can invite someone to share Christmas with our family.

In short, we can open our eyes and go out of our way to be the face of Jesus to a world so very desperate for a glimpse of Him.

A Christmas light show reminded me that people of faith are called to be a Christmas light show too. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you did too.

Merry Christmas!

Wendy 🙂

Do Not Be Afraid

Posted on by Wendy
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged , for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious hand.” Isaiah 41:10

One of my family’s favorite Christmas movies is, “Home Alone.” We’ve seen it a dozen times, but we watch it every year and laugh like it’s the first time we have seen it. We watched it last week and found ourselves entertained as usual.

One of my favorite scenes takes place in a church. It’s Christmas Eve and a children’s choir is singing. Kevin knows that the two bad guys are coming to break into his house and possibly do him harm, but he has decided to fight and it’s as if he instinctively knows he needs to go spend some time in church first, to prepare for the fight.

While there, he runs into Marley, an old man he has been terrified of the entire movie. They talk, the old man and the child, and share some wisdom that each needs to hear. Marley tells Kevin he doesn’t need to be afraid of him, but Marley admits to Kevin that he is afraid to call his son because he doesn’t know how he will react. Kevin calls him out.

“No offense, aren’t you too old to be afraid?”

Marley replies, “You can be too old for a lot of things, but you’re never too old to be afraid.”

Kevin seems to accept that fact. They talk a few more minutes and Kevin heads home to defend his home and with Marley’s help, in the end, he comes away victorious.

Marley’s words in the church seem particularly pertinent this year. We are surrounded with so much uncertainty and fear; it’s almost palpable.

Yet, as people of faith we should note that the Christmas story reminds us at every turn that we are not to be afraid. In Luke 1:30, Gabriel tells Mary, “Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God.”

In Matthew 1:20, when Joseph is thinking of quietly divorcing Mary, an angel appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David , do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Then in Luke2:8-11, we find the shepherds, minding their own business, watching their flocks and an angel appeared and they were terrified. “But the angel said to them. ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Marley was right. We are never too old to be afraid, but the story of Christmas reminds us not to be. God is with us, so it is well. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Remembering the Reason for the Season

Posted on by Wendy
A gift from a neighbor tells the true story of Christmas.

On the day after Thanksgiving, we put up our family Christmas tree. At some point, among the Christmas decorations, my son found an Advent calendar I had saved. When we first moved into our house, my kiddos were 3 and 5 and the sweet lady who lived across the street, brought them an Advent calendar. I had no idea that it was the beginning of a tradition. She brought them a new one every year until they were in middle school.

My son pulled the calendar out and started going through the days, reading them aloud as he went while I continued to decorate the tree. Day one was the Bible. Day two was Joseph. On Day three when he said, “There’s Mary and Gabriel;” he got my attention. He continued and I listened although I didn’t let him know it, until he got all the way to the birth of the Baby Jesus.

I’ll have to admit that this mama’s heart and eyes were both full.

Even thought he’s twenty, there was something about hearing my child recite the true meaning of Christmas that filled me with joy.

I thought about it long after the tree was done. I thought about all of the players that go into faith building. I thought about our sweet neighbor who shared her faith in such a quiet, but incredibly meaningful way. I thought about his Sunday school teachers and the many Christmas pageants he participated in and the Christmas Eve candlelight services where we always sang Silent Night and I thought about the importance of telling the story we believe in.

The Christmas season is fun and meaningful in so many ways. There are parties and gifts, Christmas trees and lots of goodies and beautiful traditions that get handed down from generation to generation. While those are all good things,  as people of faith, we are called to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to share the story with others.

The truth is that Christmas is the story of a teenaged girl who said yes to God’s plan for her and her fiance who stood by her although he had every reason not to. That obedience changed the fate of all mankind. It’s the story of God’s provision for His people. It’s the story of the birth of hope. It’s the story of a God who loves His children so much that He decided to become one of us.

It’s a story worth telling over and over. An Advent calendar reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

 

The Christmas Cactus Testimony

Posted on by Wendy
The Christmas Cactus knows its job is to announce that Christmas is coming despite its circumstances.

About a week ago, I was delighted to find small, bright pink buds on my Christmas Cactus. I tend to it year round, but once a year, it rewards me with stunning tropical blooms. When I see the little buds, it’s like a little announcement from Creation itself that Jesus is coming. It makes no difference to that little plant what new viruses or variants are surging or what new political  chaos is raging.

It’s purpose in life is to announce that Christmas is coming and it does so with great enthusiasm.

Years ago, when I first got it, I planted it in a pretty white ceramic pot that thought suited it beautifully. Last week, my hubby accidently knocked it off the plant stand and it fell crashing floor. Once I realized that he was ok and I saw the shards of white all over the floor, I rushed to see what kind of damage was done to the plant. I was pleased to see very little damage to the plant itself, but the saucer part of the pot was mostly gone.

I didn’t dare repot it while it was covered in buds, fearing it would go into shock and not bloom, so I bought a plain, ugly, plastic saucer to put underneath it. It definitely wasn’t as pretty as before. I mean, the pot was toast. It made me a little sad to see it broken.

But, over the next few days, the buds got bigger and brighter. I found myself drawn to it one day after work. The plant it seemed, was blissfully unaware of the ugly saucer it was sitting in. It’s job was to announce the coming of Christ and it was happily doing its job despite the circumstances.

I’ll have to admit that I felt both inspired and humbled at its defiance.

How often do we allow our circumstances to hinder our worship and our mission? When life sends blows our way, how do we respond? When we lose a job, or a relationship falls apart or we get a bad diagnosis, do we stand tall like that cactus and continue to point others to Jesus or do we curl up in a ball and wait until the sun is once again shining and life is good to resume our worship?

Life on this side of eternity will always be a mix of both good and bad. A Christmas cactus reminded me while we have no control over our circumstances, we do have control over our response to them. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

 

 

A Call to Be Thankful

Posted on by Wendy
We can always find blessings if we intentionally seek them.

My daughter and I were talking on the phone one day this week. She had been sending me pictures of the Christmas decorations that she and her college roommates had been putting up. She was telling me how she normally wants no part of Christmas before Thanksgiving. She has never liked how people just skip over our national day of gratitude and go straight to Christmas. She has always enjoyed the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She and my dad love the dog show that follows and she’s a big fan of Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce.

But, this year that has been different in so many ways, has her yearning for Christmas. I nodded in agreement as I confessed that I was playing Christmas music on my computer while I worked that day. I was also burning a Christmas candle. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one with Christmas on her mind.

“I think we all need a little Christmas right now,” she said.

I told her what we are all really desperate for right now is Jesus. Our battered hearts are longing for the peace, refuge, comfort, redemption and joy that only He can provide.

She agreed.

After we hung up, I kept thinking about our conversation. It almost seems counterintuitive to be thankful right now when there’s still a pandemic raging, when experts are warning families that it would be safer to stay apart for the holidays, when there’s still unrest in our streets, when an election that should have been decided weeks ago, still drags on. And if you are unfortunate enough to live in the state of Georgia, voices from all over the country are yelling at us at every turn to vote one way or the other.

Yet, as Christians, we are called to be thankful, thankful for the many blessings we have been given, thankful that we woke up this morning, thankful for the friends and family we have been given, thankful that God has given us another day here on planet earth to make a difference. What is counterintuitive for non-believers isn’t for us because we know that we are travelers here on our way to a much greater place where there will be no pain.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

A phone call reminded me that even though our hearts are crying out, Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel, let’s not forget to be a people who shine with thanksgiving. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂

Craving Christmas

Posted on by Wendy
Maybe all of the early decorating is because we are craving the peace, joy and hope that Christmas promises.

As I write this post, Thanksgiving is a week away. Every year, I try to take time out in November to intentionally be more thankful. I try to start each morning with a prayer of thanks for the many blessings I have been given. I make every effort not to rush ahead to Christmas, although it has always been my favorite holiday.

This year, however, I have noticed that people have decorated earlier than ever before. There were people sharing pictures of their Christmas decorations on social media, the day after Halloween. I’ve even read about debates on talk shows about how early too early is for Christmas decorations.

While I chuckle at the discussion, I mean seriously, who cares when your neighbor decides to decorate for Christmas?, I began to witness more and more early decorations on my day-to-day travels and a theory began to form. When a sweet friend at work asked me early last week, if I thought it was too early for her to decorate, I shared it with her.

Our country is really divided at the moment. Politics seem to dominate all that we do. There’s an impeachment trial in process and friends, neighbors and even some families, aren’t even speaking to each other over it. Despite our booming economy, the homeless population has exploded. The stock market is still doing well, but folks in general, don’t seem to feel very secure or thankful.

Perhaps, all of this early decorating is due to the fact that we are all craving Christmas and what it really means. Perhaps, we are craving hope and joy and peace. It’s the time of year that tends to bring the best out in us. It’s the time of year when we are willing to choose kindness. We will carefully shop and fill up shoe boxes to send to children around the world, who we will never meet, to share the Gospel. It’s the time of year when we will pull tags off of a bulletin board or a department store angel tree and buy just the right gift for a stranger in need. It’s the time of year when we will scrounge around our pockets to find money to put in a red kettle out in front of a store.

It’s the time of year when we revisit the manger where hope was born.

My friend agreed that I was probably on to something. She’s seen it too. I suspect we all have.

Later in the week, as I was getting ready for work and feeling a little down myself, about the state of our world, I tested my theory and pulled up a Christian Contemporary Channel on my phone. The first song was, “O Holy Night,” a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, and I knew I was right. My entire spirit was lifted.

The next song, by Casting Crowns, really said it all. It’s called, “Somewhere In Your Silent Night.” I’ve shared it here, if you want to test my theory. We all need Christmas, maybe this year more than ever. The good news is that it’s coming. Perhaps you needed reminding.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy:)

Celebrating Christmas All Year

Posted on by Wendy
Pine needles still show up in the strangest places reminding me that Christmas is always with us.

As I write this, Christmas is over. The tree has been taken down, the decorations put away and the New Year has been rung in. It’s already February.

It amazes me how back in November, people were putting their trees up even before Thanksgiving, proclaiming it their favorite time of the year. Gorgeous pictures of Christmas trees crowded my Facebook feed. We couldn’t wait to celebrate Christmas. But, by New Year’s everything is put up and packed away, as if it never even happened.

Humanity has always had a super short attention span.

I’ll have to admit, I always take my Christmas tree down before New Year’s Eve. As much as I enjoy the tree, I long for my regular space back. But, this year, we put up a real tree for the first time, instead of the artificial pre-lit deal. It was an experiment of sorts for our family.

All my life, I have heard complaints about real trees shedding and I didn’t really notice much, until we took it down. Even though we swept and vacuumed repeatedly, little green needles continue to show up in the strangest places. I have discovered them in rooms all over the house when the tree was only in the family room. I have even found them on the stairs.

Who knows how they got there?

Interestingly enough, my vacuum cleaner won’t pick them up unless I use the hose. I have to reach down and pick it up myself and every time I find one I feel a nudge reminding me that Christmas is never really over even though the decorations are gone.

The true heart of Christmas is about the birth of a savior and the birth of hope and light for a dark world in deep need of Him. While the gifts have been exchanged and the calendar quickly moves on, the gift of salvation remains. The retailers might be telling us it’s time for Valentine’s day and the radio stations have stopped playing Christmas music, but our souls need to remember that hope and light remain with us everyday, all year long.

That truth alone, is reason to celebrate every single day we wake up. Some stray pine needles reminded me that the meaning of Christmas really doesn’t have a date, even though humanity would like to give it one. It’s much too big and wonderful to be confined to a single day or even a single place. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Christmas Writing Break

Posted on by Wendy

My daughter is home from college for Christmas break. My son will be out of high school in another week for his break. My hubby and I have two Christmas functions to attend after work this week. The hustle and bustle has definitely been taken up a notch for me. In an effort to enjoy every minute of this Advent season, I need to be very intentional with my time, so I’m taking a writing break until January. I can’t wait to see how God will show Himself in the details of this season and I look forward to meeting you back here in January to share. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

The Candle of Hope

Posted on by Wendy
Our hope in Christmas is so much more that anything we can buy or create ourselves.

Yesterday at church, we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent, which marks the beginning of the period when we expectantly wait for the birth of Christ. Every Sunday until Christmas, someone will light a new candle and read some Scripture and then say a prayer. The Church takes the opportunity to prepare our hearts for Christmas.

As Christians, Advent reminds us to prepare for Christmas in a different way than the secular world prepares. It’s a thoughtful time of reflection that doesn’t require us to spend any money or to do any physical running around at all. I remember when my children were little and we were asked to light a candle, we would talk it over several times before we actually did it and everyone was a little nervous.

Yesterday, a sweet couple had been asked to light the first candle of the season. I always admire how polished they are each Sunday. They usually look like they stepped out of a clothing advertisement. After the husband read, the wife went to light the candle and the lighter didn’t light. After several attempts, she looked up at the congregation and told us they had practiced. The pastor stepped in and she couldn’t light it either and she finally passed it to the husband who had no better luck.

There was some laughter in the congregation at that point. But, then another parishioner handed the wife a different lighter and she lit the candle. The entire congregation erupted in cheers and clapping. The husband then said a prayer and they returned to their seats.

Although I’m sure that couple would have never chosen to have their technical difficulties, I ended up thinking about the Advent lighting much longer than I usually do.

I thought about how we often lose the meaning of the season when we are intent on creating the perfect Christmas. We live in a broken world. Our children or other loved ones, sometimes get sick at Christmas, or the turkey turns out dry, or the picture perfect cake didn’t turn out like we hoped, or finances are strained, or relationships are strained.

Perfection does not exist on this side of Eternity no matter what our friends at Pinterest or Facebook would like for us to believe. We will often fall short of the world’s ideal picture because sometimes no matter what our preparation was, the lighter just won’t light.

As Christians, Advent calls us to remember that we are in this world, but not of it and when we struggle and overcome, Heaven cheers for us, just like our congregation did for that couple. We are preparing for the One who overcame it all.

The first candle lit in Advent was for Hope. Our hope is something so much better than anything we could buy or create ourselves, this Christmas season. An advent candle mishap, reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂