What if Bethlehem celebrated the first Christmas like we celebrate Christmas today? How many miles of ribbons does it take to make the donkeys festive?
How many pounds of glitter to decorate the inns and stables?
What candle scent covers the “essence of shepherd”?
How many pounds of sugar would the Judean women need to fill everyone’s tummies with too many sweets?
I admit that I’m a lover of all things Christmas. Vintage Christmas items make my heart sing. I love finding a box of Shiny Brites ornaments or a porcelain choir boy figurine. My addiction to vintage Christmas linens is epic. I have decorations for every room in the house. Our season is full of busy and fun things to do.
If we’re not careful, the season’s rush will keep us from considering why we celebrate.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
God had not communicated with His people for 400 years—silence. Galatians 4:4 says that God sent Jesus when the fullness of time had come.
Into their hopeless disconcerting silence, God sent his greatest gift—at the right time.
Wise men, shepherds, a young woman, and old saints celebrated the arrival of the King of Kings with worship and praise—not glitter and Pinterest.
Mary responded with a beautiful prayer found in Luke 1:46-55. She used her voice to magnify God with a prayer full of Old Testament Scripture.
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
Luke 1:46-49
Luke 2:19 says that Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The angels announced his birth to shepherds, not kings. Praise filled the sky—glory to God in the highest.
The shepherds responded with praise and wonder, telling everyone what they’d seen.
The Wisemen responded with awe and reverence—bowing before King Jesus.
Anna and Simeon praised and thanked God, letting everyone hear their thankfulness.
Hmm…not a gingerbread cookie or Christmas card in sight.
Authentic Christmas celebration requires pondering, prayer, praise, and awe.
I’m inviting you to choose one or two of these soul-filling tips. Let’s celebrate the birth of Christ with a peaceful heart.
Don’t allow this to become another stressful to-do list.
Consider these ideas and set your focus on the foundation of your celebration.
Ponder—Choose a truth in the Christmas story to contemplate for several days; don’t rush. If one element in these Scriptures holds your thoughts the entire season, stay there.
- Read the section of Scripture you’ve chosen several times.
- Write out the passage or phrase that you’re considering.
- Write down your thoughts as you sort through how your celebrations will look this season.
- Write what God teaches you while you’re pondering Christmas truths.
Pray—make sure you stop to pray each day.
- Ask God to help you treasure truths you’re reading in the Christmas story.
- Ask for strength to celebrate in peaceful ways.
- Include your children in your prayer time whenever possible.
Praise—speak to others about the precious truths you’re meditating on, then crank up the music.
A peaceful, soul-filling celebration doesn’t exclude music. Many songs and carols are full of Scripture truth. Play and enjoy—on repeat!
- Sing—make a joyful noise.
- Share—tell someone what you’re learning or share how you’ve chosen to celebrate this year.
Awe—marvel in the way our good God provided salvation.
- Think about the amazing way he came in the quiet of the night.
- Consider the way the shepherds felt when the angel announced the glad tidings. Hint: if you were there, you’d have no trouble with the awe element.
- Think about what entering the world in human flesh felt like to Jesus. Can you imagine how it felt to feel the weight of sin?
At Christmas, I will turn on my tree lights first thing in the morning. I’ll pull out my 1950s porcelain choir boys and my ceramic trees. We will watch all the movies and bake treats, but we’ll say no thank you to stress-inducing activities and lists of things we should do.
Celebrating Christmas with all the things isn’t wrong, but it’s not necessary.
Join me in filling your soul this Christmas.
- Set your mind on the beautiful provision God sent to us–his only begotten Son.
- Talk to God in prayer.
- Shout out your praise.
- Adore our God in awe for all he’s done.
- Write it down.
- Tell your kids.
- Talk about it with friends.
Sit for a moment and revel in the peace that floods your soul when you consider that the King of Kings loved you enough to make a way to forgive your sins. Our world often feels dark and hopeless, but we celebrate because God sent us the answer to every problem at Christmas.
What if we celebrate Christmas today like Bethlehem celebrated the first Christmas?
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.
If you’d like another perspective on Christmas, check out my devotionals–
Unwrapping 5 Names of God For Christmas
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