Listen. Do you hear it?

…. (music playing) “It’s Christmas! The angels are singing!” ….

Angels singing is not what I heard at my first sighting of Christmas this year. It was a blistering hot Georgia summer day as I walked through the double sliding glass doors into a favorite DIY big box craft store. The air conditioning hit me like a blast of icy snow. Instantly the sweltering heat on my face turned into cold chills. What a welcome relief!

But as I crossed the threshold from outside to the inside of the store, I stopped dead in my tracks shocked at the sight: from floor to ceiling from the front of the store to the back as far as the eye could see - there it was – Christmas decorations! Every color, every theme, every shape and size lined every shelf announcing the start of “The Christmas Season”. Game On!

I could feel my credit cards inside my purse start vibrating with anticipation of early shopping - clipping off my names list of gifts to plan, find, purchase, pay for, and wrap. The welcomed cold chills reverted to a hot sweaty brow … the kind brought on by angst and dis-belief. How could this be? It was only mid-June.

Keep Jesus Front and Center

With a deep breath of relief, I quickly came to my senses and realized I was not looking at the beginning of “Merry Christmas” season. I was looking at the opening of “Happy Holidays” season. That is the season centered on shopping, gifting, decorating, party planning, feasting, and crowd gathering in celebration of Christmas including people who say they do not believe in Christmas. 

We tout the phrase “the reason for the season” then find ourselves (and families) double booked, stretched thin, and feeling guilty the celebration of our Lord is not going as we planned in our head months ago… you know … back in mid-June when we were informed it was time to get started!

Filled with family, friends, fun, traditions, busyness, travel, and all things “holiday”, it sometimes leaves believers and non-believers with a feeling as if something that really mattered was missing; as if everything that was supposed to matter happened but it was not enough … as if the most important thing was missed.

God's Perfect Timing

As a Christian celebrating the birth of our Savior, how could this be? If everything matters, how do we keep front and center what matters most?

Amazing thing how God’s timing is always right! Advent started December 1^st – not mid-June. Advent is our guide for focusing on the things of Christmas that matter most!

As you read this we should be about halfway through Advent and very close to Christmas Day. What perfect timing to check up on where we stand on not missing what matters most in experiencing the celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus!

12 Ways to Make Advent Matter 

Consider these 12 ideas to engage more deeply your and your family’s Christmas experience. By no means is it a complete list – just ideas to spur your own thinking.

Advent calls us to celebrate the certain hope we have through Christ our Savior, to love God and people as He loves us, to stand in the joy of the Holy Spirit because of Christ, and to receive the peace through Christ unlike any peace known to mankind.

GIVE HOPE

1. Call, text, or write a card of encouragement to someone who has lost a loved one, lost a job or has experienced some sort of significant loss in their life this year.

2. Be bold! Tell someone that needs to hear it spoken that you love them and that God loves them.

3. Tell someone – reassure them – that they are not alone, and you have not given up on them in whatever life struggle they are facing. Ask if you can pray with them/for them.

SPREAD LOVE

4. Choose someone on your street that lives alone or doesn’t have friends/family around during Christmas. As a family drop by their front door with a simple treat (cookies, fruit, candy) & wish them a Merry Christmas! Invite them to Sunday worship/Christmas Eve Service with you. Invite them to your house for hot chocolate around the Christmas tree.

5. Play the “I thank God for you because …..” game with your family. Place a chair in the center of the room. Each family member takes a turn sitting in the chair. Each family member takes a turn telling the person in the chair why he/she thanks God for him/her. Hugs & kisses allowed! If you have a large family choose one person a night until everyone has had their turn.

6. Place a bowl in the area where you/your family eat breakfast/start your day. Write the name of a person/people that you want prayed for & the prayer point(s). Put it in the “prayer bowl”. When you/family gather for the next meal together read & pray together for each name. Save the cards collectively during Advent to pray for them again on Christmas Day.       

CREATE JOY

7. Create and share a Christmas Music Playlist with your “group” (friends, family, small group, co-workers). Ask them to let you know which song(s) made them smile!

8. SAY “Merry Christmas!” to every person you encounter for a whole day.

9. Ask someone in your life “How can I help you today?” Then, do it.

SPEAK PEACE

10. Ask someone you have been at odds with recently to forgive you … even if you do not feel you were the offender.

11. Thank someone for their service (waiter/waitress, policeman, fireman, etc.). Let them know you appreciate them.

12. Find a still and quiet place to sit quietly for 1 – 5 minutes. Feel His peaceful presence. Give Him thanks when your time is up.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”  John 3:16-17

 Listen. Do you hear it now?

(music playing) … “It’s Christmas! The angels are singing, and I know the reason! Our Savior is born!”

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