"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)
My mind flashes back to when I was five years old. It's the first Christmas I truly remember, and snow surrounded the scene. Inside, lights twinkle on the tree in every color. Shades of red, pink, and purple dance on the walls, reflecting the imaginary journey of those inside the vintage village houses to my right and left. All seems peaceful and cheery, as it should be.
Over the years, I quickly learned that while I loved presents and the presence of others during the holidays, the greatest gift wasn't one I would find wrapped and hidden under my tree. The true meaning of Christmas wasn't in the delicious food we ate, the crazy board games we'd stay up late playing, the fellowship we shared with family, or even Santa's cookies. But it was in something—and more specifically Someone—I'd come to know.
While buying gifts, wrapping presents, participating in gift exchanges, believing in Santa Claus, looking at Christmas lights, and sharing the holiday with someone special can be fun, let us never forget the true meaning of Christmas. These habits aren't wrong, but they must never become more important than the One this holiday is celebrated for—Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Let us never forget that the Christ of Christmas began His early days in a lowly manger through a humble birth.
In Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah, that is, the Savior of the World, would be given to this world as a child. While it was not what the world around Him anticipated, expected, or demanded, it was exactly what God our Father had in store. God always knows better than us. Luke 2:10-12 explains the fulfillment of Jesus' birth this way: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger'" (NIV).
As the hustle and bustle of holiday cheer grows near, I encourage you to set your sights on the Christ of Christmas. Might I encourage you to look beyond the superficial twinkling lights and see a baby born to live and die for our sins so that we might live for Him?
Friends, there's absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating Christmas and delighting in all of its upcoming festivities. Trust me, Christmas is one season I look forward to every year. I keep old traditions and make new ones. But one thing I want to get better at is remembering the true meaning. Here are a few practical ways I plan to keep the focus where it matters most this wintery celebration:
-Incorporate Advent traditions into the 31 days of December. This could include reading a Scripture, discussing it as a family, or incorporating a Christ-centered craft.
-Watch holiday movies that include the Christ of Christmas. This could include movies like The Ultimate Gift, The Christmas Child, The Nativity Story, or even The Chronicles of Narnia. These are just a few favorites to get you started.
-Make quiet time with the Lord a priority, no matter what. Life can be busy, but it's important to keep what matters most at the focal point of our day-to-day tasks. Even if it's just a few minutes at the beginning or end of your day, that's better than nothing.
-Listen to Christmas worship music when on the go, in the car, or doing mundane activities. It's fun to sing Christmas songs but even greater when we can incorporate worship into this practice.
-Remember when you were a kid and loved making a Christmas list for Santa? Try writing a Christmas list to Jesus—but here's the twist: Write it as a thank-you letter and ask Him to open your eyes to what He wants to show you this season.
Bonus: On Christmas Eve, attend a Christmas Eve service. Then, make a birthday cake for Jesus. On Christmas Day, read the story of Jesus' birth in Luke 2, and sing Happy Birthday to Him before opening presents or doing anything else. You could also take time on Christmas morning to meditate, pray, and soak in the Lord's presence before the kids get up.
Which practical tip will you try this season?
Let's pray:
Dear Lord,
Keeping the focus on Jesus at Christmas can be so difficult. My mind is flooded with to-do's, and my heart is bustling with activities and ideas for the season. Please help me realign what matters most at the start of every day, even beyond this holiday season. Let me never forget that you're the true reason for every season we celebrate, and let that be magnified in the way I celebrate these upcoming weeks. I'm thankful for the gift of your Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©SWN/Image created using Dalle AI
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington, Andrea Bocelli, Reba McEntire, Mark Wahlberg, Tony Dungy, and Matthew McConaughey—what do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their stories of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
Originally published Wednesday, 11 December 2024.
SHARE
