Christmas Day. Friday, December 25, 2020

“I am Ready”

Yes! We arrived! Nothing could stop us and nothing could stop God from arriving. Pandemic, screwed-up finances, messed up family situations, bad weather, canceled ball games, empty choir lofts, and everything else that tried its best to cancel Christmas…all of them failed. God arrived in spite of it all.

Take a moment to think about it. God saw everything that was happening in our world. God saw how poorly we treated our neighbors. God saw the addictions, hatred, crime, hunger, disease, death, and everything else, and God still came into this world.

God came, not as a superhero. God came, not as a champion knight brandishing a fiery sword, adorned in bullet-proof armor. God came as a baby, born to a poor, working-class family who would struggle their entire lives to get by. Yes, life was just as complicated and difficult for Mary and Joseph as it was for any of us. They would be vulnerable to rage-filled kings, uncontrollable sicknesses, lost employment, overpriced groceries, and hateful neighbors. God knew that the world would throw its biggest problems at their family. And still, God chose to come to us.

We cannot deny how difficult this year has been. But God still comes to us, because God wants to be in our messy lives. God wants to get involved. The LORD is not afraid to get dirty with us. In fact, that’s where many of us have found the LORD, in the bottom of the pit and without hope. Do you remember that time when you thought all was lost, and you reached into the sky? Do you remember the hand that grabbed yours and brought you to safety? Yes, I remember it like it was yesterday. In fact, for some of us, it was yesterday.

The LORD has come. Don’t be afraid to reach into the sky one more time. This is why we have Christmas, to give each of us another opportunity to say, “Yes, LORD, I am Ready for Christmas.”

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And Mary brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:6-7, KJV)

 1 Day to Christmas. Christmas Eve. Thursday, Dec 24, 2020

“A Gift of Faith”

Ah, finally, it’s Christmas Eve. The pandemic has tried its’ best to quarantine us and keep Christmas away, but COVID is no match for Santa Claus. Santa is going to come down the chimney tonight, and even if Santa is delayed a little while, we can probably arrange for Amazon to arrive before morning. Yep, Christmas is here.

However, we can’t deny that Christmas is different this year. Travel, or the lack thereof, has significantly impacted many people this year. Mask requirements have altered dining plans, required social distancing has reduced the guest list, and many of our entertainment options have been eliminated completely.

It’s okay because no matter what, Christmas is still going to arrive. In years past, we may have taken the arrival of Christmas for granted. Not this year. We are going to celebrate as best we can, even if we are relegated to wrapping our children in strips of old cloth and sleeping in a stable. We are gonna’ have Christmas!

Mary and Joseph needed great commitment and determination to complete their journey to Bethlehem, in addition to their incredible faith in God. We, too, have needed great commitment and determination to complete our own Journey to Christmas. Though our faith probably can’t measure up to that of Mary and Joseph, God is very pleased with what we can bring to the Manger.

Don’t worry, we don’t have to break our remaining banks to please God. Most of us aren’t as wealthy as the Magi who visited Mary and Joseph. But today, we can think about something else that we can give to God this Christmas. What will be? If our gift is important to us, we can be sure that it will be important to God as well.

“Instructed by the king, they (the Magi) set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!” (Matthew 2:1-2, The Message).

 2 Days to Christmas. Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020

“The Innkeeper”

The “Innkeeper” is one of the interesting characters of the Christmas story. The Innkeeper is the person who turns Joseph and Mary away in their time of need. Some folks think that the innkeeper provided the Holy Family with a stable as an overflow option. Other people think that the Innkeeper sent them away empty-handed, making the family fend for itself on that first Christmas. Whatever your belief, most of us agree that the Innkeeper was rather selfish. It would seem, that, upon seeing this very, very pregnant woman, the Innkeeper could’ve somehow made room for them. Right?

Since we are reading this story two thousand years after it occurred, we are able to arrive at our own conclusion about the events of the Christmas Story. As such, most of us can probably think of several ways that the Innkeeper could’ve (and should’ve) helped Joseph and Mary. We don’t even need all the details to arrive at our conclusion, because the details don’t matter. What matters is that God’s people needed help and the Innkeeper turned them away.

Here’s a little Christmas food for thought from two different perspectives:

Scenario 1: Consider a complete stranger showing up on the doorstep on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Or, if you prefer, pick your own day and time for the stranger to appear, as long as the day and time are very inconvenient. How do you respond?

Scenario 2 (a metaphor): What if God arrives, knocking on the door to your heart on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Or, if you prefer, pick your own day and time for God to appear, as long as the day and time are terribly inconvenient. How do you respond?

In either scenario, I feel like a lump of coal. Here I am making the Innkeeper out to be the “bad guy”, and the whole time, I’m turning away STRANGERS IN NEED and turning God away WHEN I NEED (and probably asked for) the help.

We are about to arrive on the doorstep of Christmas. We’re gonna’ knock on the door and hope that Christmas will fulfill our request. What will we ask for? Hmmm. More Christmas food for thought.

“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24, NKJV)

 3 Days to Christmas. Tuesday, Dec 22, 2020

“Keep It Simple”

An endearing memory and pandemic-related casualty is the Children’s Christmas Pageant. Postponed until next year, I’ll have to wait a little while before I can see all the children dressed up in their costumes. I especially love the angels, which are usually represented by younger children. They approach the shepherds, singing songs to announce the arrival of Jesus, while their homemade halo’s slip from their heads and their wings detach from the costume.

It is a beautiful scene, but, regarding Scripture’s description, the angels do not sing to the shepherds (or anyone). Rather, they praise God, saying their famous line (meticulously recited by Linus in Charlie Brown’s Christmas), “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

I really like the thought of a few angels singing and blowing trumpets in between breaths. But according to the story, it’s not three or four angels. It’s a “multitude of the heavenly host”, which means thousands upon thousands of angels. How cool is that? Can we imagine how powerful it would be for the shepherds? The Christmas Star yesterday was super-cool to see, but can you imagine seeing and hearing thousands of angels shouting and announcing the arrival of Jesus?

Sometimes, we romanticize the Christmas story into something it is not. Sometimes, we complicate our Christmas story so much that when we try to untangle it, we create even more knots.

Don’t get overwhelmed this week. Keep it simple. Keep it safe. Take a deep breath, and remember the angel’s message to the shepherds, “…behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people...Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward me” Yes! That’s all I need this year.

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people...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, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:10, 14, NKJV).

 4 Days to Christmas. Monday, Dec 21, 2020

“Giblets and Cranberries”

As we creep one day closer to Christmas, folks are making their lists and checking them twice to make sure that everything is ready for Christmas. Menu ingredients for the special meals, soft drinks and holiday mixers, and last-minute stocking-stuffers are just a few of the obvious items that folks are gathering. Preparing for Christmas Day is a bit like preparing for a long vacation as folks try to make sure that all the proper items are prepared and purchased.

Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem may have been similar. Given the unusual events that surrounded their trip, they needed to make sure that they were prepared as well. Sure, God would provide for their needs, but it still didn’t remove their need to be prepared for a potentially long, extended time away from home.

The faithfulness exhibited by Mary and Joseph during their journey provides great insight into our own journey to Christmas. Yes, they would be in need of lots of things, especially because Mary was pregnant and her baby was due at any time. However, since they couldn’t just run down to the local hardware store and rent a U-haul trailer for the journey, they would need to make careful choices based on what was essential and could be easily transported.

In these last few days before Christmas, we are making choices regarding the special items that “we can’t do without.” Today provides a good opportunity to reflect on some of those things. Rather than wearing ourselves out by making those multiple, multiple trips to the stores, maybe we can reflect on our real priorities and determine if those last-minute forgotten items are worth the worry and concern we give them. How essential is the giblet gravy? Does anyone really eat more than a small taste of the can-shaped cranberries?

Christmas is about giving, but it is also about each of us receiving the gift of God’s love. Make room for God these last few days before Christmas. Some items may not be nearly as essential as we think, while other things could be the most valuable of all. Create some quality quiet time to reflect on God’s work at Christmas. Adjust the schedule to make room for important, special time with family and friends. Let’s prepare our hearts and minds so that we can receive the very best gift of all, Jesus Christ at the manger.

“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips…” (Psalm 63:5, CEB)

 5 Days to Christmas. Sunday, Dec 20, 2020

“Horn, Whisper, or Voice?”

Joseph probably has the most difficult and relatable responsibilities in the Bible. As the step-father of Jesus, one can only imagine how unworthy he felt in comparison to Jesus’ biological Father. As part of this responsibility, he also must overcome tremendous social and cultural challenges. Could we have been as faithful as Joseph if we had been visited by an angel? The thought is provoking.

For starters, after Joseph is visited by the angel, the problems were just beginning. If he decided to take Mary as his wife, he certainly would have lost professional credibility. It would be likely that few people would seek to employ his work, given that he was marrying his pregnant, fatherless bride. The social ridicule and gossip would have been terrible, to the point that he probably had to consider that he and his bride would have to move to another town.

Would that solve their problems? No, it would not. In a new town, he would be a stranger. He would have to likely beg for employment and try to find a home for his young family. In addition, how does one provide for the mother of Jesus Christ? Would anyone dare to argue with Mary? What would the day-to-day living be like, caring for Mary and Jesus?

Joseph not only overcomes all these hurdles, but he also does so in a grand fashion. After Jesus' birth, the Bible describes incredible hardships and danger. Yet in each of them, Joseph follows God’s direction and leads his young family to safety. Then, somewhere along the way, he’s able to secure a home, employment, and everything else that the Holy Family needs.

What challenges do we face? If an angel visited us today and delivered some news that would change our home, livelihood, and identity, could we remain faithful to God for the entirety of our lives? This is a great question to ponder, namely, because God speaks to us much more often than we realize (or want to admit).

Take some time to reflect on your day. Has God spoken? What about the little things you experienced today? Did God speak through them? Take a few deep breaths. What did you hear? God is always speaking, but maybe not through an Angel blowing a horn. More often, it’s a whisper in the wind or the voice of a friend.

“Look! I’m standing at the door and knocking. If any hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to be with them…” (Revelation 3:20, CEB)

 6 Days to Christmas. Saturday, Dec 19, 2020

“Yes!”

One of the most endearing moments of the Christmas story is the moment when Mary is visited by the angel and informed about her pregnancy. For two thousand years, artists have depicted this scene in all kinds of ways, trying to imagine what it must have been like.

Part of the reason this scene is so popular is that it is somewhat believable. Mary was, by all accounts, poor. She did not have much money, many resources, fancy cars, or a big house. She was not endowed with superhero powers and didn’t seem to be anyone special before the angel’s announcement.

I can relate to this part of the story. I have often imagined what I would do if I were visited by an angel and told to do something incredible. Could I have the Faith to say, “Yes”? Could I have the courage to follow through with my, “Yes”? Would I be able to withstand the social humiliation, the loss of prestige and honor, and the physical, mental, and emotional struggles that would follow my “Yes”?

Faith is a difficult subject. We often know what to do and have a great desire to follow through, but somewhere along the way, we get distracted and veer off course.

This Christmas, we are blessed with the opportunity to say, “Yes”, to God. But like Mary (and Joseph), saying “Yes” is only the beginning. If we really want to experience God’s full blessings through Christmas, we need to say “Yes” and then live out our lives in a manner that shows everyone the saving power of Christmas.

“Then Mary responded, saying, ‘This is amazing! I will be a mother for the Lord! As his servant, I accept whatever he has for me. May everything you have told me come to pass.’ And the angel left her.” (Luke 1:38, The Passion translation)

 7 Days to Christmas. Friday, Dec 18, 2020

“Right-lane Drivers”

One week until Christmas. All is not yet quiet. In fact, it’s downright crazy today and will continue this weekend. This weekend will be one of the busiest traffic weekends of the year. Granted, 2020 has broken plenty of “standards”, but it’s unlikely that even 2020 isn’t powerful enough to slow the traffic flow that will begin today. And, of course, along with this incredibly high traffic volume, we must also acknowledge the incredibly low level of patience that most of us will possess. Given that 2020 has already been one giant test of patience, we should recognize that we might not have any of it left in our tank.

Point noted: Lots of folks will be out and about this weekend, and, despite their slow driving, their level of patience is just as low as mine. As a result, I’m considering this to be the annual “patience warning” that I make to myself. The person in front of me, who should be driving in the other lane, isn’t trying to make me late. Nor are they stalling to keep me from picking up that last-minute gift. The person driving slowly in front of me is also trying their best to navigate the road hazards, poor weather, bad signage, up-tight bosses, and Santa-starved children.

In this final week of Christmas preparation, it might be helpful for us to remember one small detail: Christmas is not supposed to be stressful. If you are stressed, remember that God didn’t come to this world to put more pressure on us. God came to the world at Christmas to remove the pressure from our head, heart, and shoulders. God wants us to be free to receive Christmas in the manner that God intended: forgiveness, healing, and relief for a world that is rocking and reeling in pain.

Be patient. Be kind. Christmas miracles will occur, but if we’re driving out-of-control, we won’t be able to read our own name on the gift tag.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38, NIV)

 8 Days to Christmas. Thursday, Dec 17, 2020

"One Step at a Time"

One of the anomalies of a life of Faith is that most of us expect the finished product, yet, at the same time all of us still need to take the next step. If this past year has left you bloodied on the side of the road, or if you just don’t think you’ve got the energy to stop and help the person who is on the side of the road, don’t shy away from these last few days leading to Christmas. You’ll have to trust me on this one: Those of us who are “Professionals'' at this are still searching every day for the keys to unlock Christmas hope, peace, joy, and love this year.

However, as we understand from the Scriptures, God's work at Christmas has nothing to do with what we already know, what someone else knows, or what any of us have already done or experienced. Instead, Christmas is about the things that have not yet happened in our lives.

Why is that important? Because if God was waiting for us to get things right, all of humanity would still be waiting for the first Christmas. When it comes down to it, none of us are really worthy to receive Christmas. Neither were the shepherds, magi, innkeeper, or the little drummer boy. All of them (and us) receive Christmas because of God’s love and mercy. We receive Christmas because we are riddled with mistakes and disease and all of us need God’s Christmas gift.

No matter where you are on the Christmas spectrum, don’t let your perceived position keep you from moving forward. God wants your very best, and if your very best is a small step forward, then take it. Don’t worry if you think you’re unworthy. NONE of us are worthy of this journey! But, with God’s help, both you and I can look back eight days from now and recognize that, truly, God is still in the business of performing miracles.

“ I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7, CEB).

 9 Days to Christmas. Wednesday, Dec 16, 2020

“Over-Busy”

Holy Smokes! I haven’t picked up my special Christmas grocery items yet! I can’t have Christmas without my favorite treats! What am I thinking? Oh, that’s right, I’m thinking about staying safe and healthy, keeping a church safe, praying for lots of people, meeting lots of people, trying to learn my way around a new home, preaching four sermons in eight days, writing a daily devotional, walking the dog, trying to keep a real tree alive, plus completing a few other, day-to-day duties.

I’m busy in all kinds of ways, and if I don’t watch out, I’ll Over-Busy myself right past Christmas. (Yes, I’ve done it before. It is possible to accidentally skip Christmas.) But this year, I don’t want the Over-Busy to consume me to the point that I miss Christmas in paradise. I’ve always wanted a Christmas in the tropics, but what am I doing to help make it possible?

Time management and the balancing act of our responsibilities can be difficult, indeed. This time of year consumes leaders of companies, schools, churches, and especially, families. In the process of adding the Holiday responsibilities to our normal duties, getting ourselves lost in the shuffle is easier than we’d like to admit. Unless we slow things down, we’ll wake up on December 26th and discover that we missed the whole experience because we were cooking, preparing, sharing, shopping, shipping, giving, receiving, eating, drinking…Whew! We’ll never find Christmas Peace because we’re so Over-Busy!

This year, it’s time to make a change. Namely, it’s time to slow things down a bit. Starting today, let’s identify 20 minutes each day that we chill, breathe, and experience the miracle of Christmas. Yes! In the midst of a COVID-covered Christmas, let’s let God bring a miracle. Let’s give God a chance to turn Overly-Busy into Overly-Blessed!

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10, NIV)

 10 Days to Christmas. Tuesday, Dec 15, 2020

“The Best, Last-Second Gift”

When we were kids playing sports, we sometimes pretended that we were in the championship game. As if we were broadcast sports reporters, we’d say something like, “The score is tied and both teams are out of time-outs. There are ten seconds left on the clock and it’s down to this last-second play…” Insert your own name and conclusion, but many of us have imagined it (or something similar) as we won the game in the final seconds.

With ten days left until Christmas, we are close enough to the end to begin the final countdown that leads to that all-important moment of success and victory in gift-giving. Some of us have already exceeded our budget while others of us are trying to find a way to squeeze out a few more dollars to deliver the very, best gifts for our loved ones.

During this bizarre Holiday Season, when everything is abnormal, this is the perfect time to consider something that only you can give to someone else: A hand-written card from you. Now, don’t run away. A hand-written card is not a store-bought card that says a bunch of stuff, then concludes with your handwriting saying something like, “Merry Christmas”. Rather, a hand-written card is either homemade or store-bought and it includes an extensive note from you to the other person that describes your specific, unique feelings for the other person.

When we write to someone else in our own handwriting, it displays many things, including thought, character, feelings, and most of all, our appreciation for the other person. If you are not a writer or have not expressed your feelings, your card will be extra-special because the other person will already know that about you. As a result, your gift will be even more important to them. Afraid that they already get too many of these? Wrong! It’s likely that your handwritten card will be the only one they receive this Holiday Season.

The clock is running but “snail-mail’ is still delivering on time for Christmas. Consider making a card or picking one up that allows for plenty of your own handwriting. Tell someone why they are special to you and why they are important to you and the world. Your gift may not glisten, play, or start, but your gift could be the one that makes all the difference for the people you love. It’s a guaranteed, last-second, Win-Win.

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3)

 11 Days to Christmas. Monday, Dec 14, 2020

"Unwrap the Gift!"

One Christmas, when I was a pre-teen youngster, I begged to receive a certain pair of boots for Christmas. They were the newest available and rather expensive, so I offered to forego anything and everything else just to receive them.

When Christmas arrived, I was presented with a good-sized box from under the tree. I couldn't wait to unwrap it, but in my excitement, I decided to let it sit for a little while to enjoy the anticipation a little more. Of course, that wasn't the only gift I received, though it was all I expected. I received multiple other gifts, including some exciting things that took my attention away from my prized possession.

Later that night, I put the unwrapped gift in my closet to hold it for just a little while longer. Unfortunately, I was so taken by the other gifts that I forgot about the boots. That Spring, I grew several inches. Then, during the summer, I cleaned out my closet and found the unwrapped package. I was so surprised! I tore open the box, and as expected, the bright new box of boots lay before me. I quickly removed my sneakers and opened the box. The boots were so handsome! I couldn't wait to put them on! I pulled them from the box and slipped them onto my feel. However, much to my surprise, they didn't fit. I had outgrown them during my little growth spurt, and thus, couldn't enjoy them.

Even with the best intentions, if we don't act upon God's gifts this Christmas, they could pass by us. Whether it's a gift we receive under the tree, or the opportunity to share a smile with someone who is struggling, God provides us with exactly what we need in all circumstances. Even though we may not recognize or understand it, God is still providing that gift to us.

This Holiday Season, keep watch for God's gifts. They can arrive in all kinds of wrapping paper, and if we'll open them on time and use them, God will show us a new joy that is much greater than we expected.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17, ESV)

 12 Days to Christmas. Sunday, Dec 13, 2020

“Half Way”

In case you’re wondering, we’re half-way through the 25-day countdown to Christmas. Some folks might say that the first half has been wonderful, while others might say it’s been down-right awful. Trying to compare it to a glass-half-full or half-empty doesn’t quite do this justice. Even the most faithful, positive, and loving people struggle to find hope, joy, and peace when their world is wrought with suffering.

This year, Christmas is testing all of us. However, this is not a test of Faith. Rather, this Christmas, like all of them, is a demonstration of God’s love for everyone. Jesus comes to us in the most vulnerable form possible as an infant. Jesus is willing to undergo suffering, both from our perspective and his own, so that all of us can be saved.

Granted, Jesus’ arrival at Christmas does not stop sickness, worldwide suffering, or even death. However, Jesus’ arrival does provide us with the promise that no matter what we face, Jesus is with us.

Take a moment to consider the attached illusion. Some of us see an older, weathered woman. Others of us see a beautiful, young woman. What do I see? Depending upon the day and hour, I could see either of them or both. But no matter what I experience or what my world looks like, I still have the promise of Christmas.

What do you see? We might be half-way there, but Jesus is just getting started.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NLT)

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 13 Days to Christmas. Saturday, Dec 12, 2020

"Stay in the Game!"

This weekend, thousands of athletic games will be played across America. In most of the games, one team will win while the other team will lose. Though half of the players on the field or court will endure a loss, they still gain in physical, mental, and emotional strength. Coaches and athletes recognize this more than ever this year, as many games have been postponed or even canceled because of the pandemic. Even the most lopsided “losses” can now be viewed from the perspective of “at least we were able to play.”

This Holiday Season, we recognize the personal benefits of staying in the game. Though we are restricted and even quarantined, we have been able to discover hope, peace, joy, and love in places that we previously may have overlooked. We have learned much from our experiences this year, and this Christmas, though it might be viewed as a “loss” by many, may be helping us become stronger.

Reflecting on the challenges we’ve experienced this year, most of us would agree that staying in the game is our primary objective. Staying safe and healthy has a new meaning, with some of us becoming full-time irritators to our loved ones, encouraging them to be safe and healthy.

Win or Lose, God is always at work. Many years from now, some of us may reflect upon the 2020 Holiday Season as a loss. But we will not be able to deny the growth we experienced through it. More than merely surviving, may it be that, by grace and perseverance, we will look back and find we were thriving!

Be careful. Play smart, follow the rules, and Stay in the Game!

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8, NIV)

 14 Days to Christmas. Friday, Dec 11, 2020.

Are You Real or Fake?

The Christmas Tree is one of the most beloved symbols of Christmas . A poll published a few days ago indicates that 77% of American households will put up a Christmas Tree this year. Of those who are planning to put up a tree this year, a little over half (53%) reported that they will be putting up an artificial tree this year. What about you? Are you putting up a tree this year, and, if so, are you real or fake?

Yes, I agree. It sounds like this author is favoring a “real” tree, which, of course, would be an accurate assumption. When I was a child, some of my most favorite memories include the fresh scent of the Christmas tree. As an adult, I never forgot that smell. Each year, I seek out a fresh-cut tree and I spend a month caring for the tree by misting it with water every day. It takes time and attention, but I can usually keep it alive for at least a month.

I have lots of friends who favor an artificial tree. The ease of putting it up, the lack of dead needles when they take it down, and the multitude of instant lights are just a few of the advantages. For businesses, the artificial tree is a necessity. It’s a cheap and easy way to convince customers and employees that Christmas is important.

It’s difficult to imagine Christmas without our trees, but Christmas trees have only been part of our American tradition for a hundred years. Until that time, Santa put the gifts in the stockings and around the fireplace. Once the trees arrived, it allowed Santa more flexibility and more space to leave larger gifts. No wonder the Christmas Tree tradition became so popular. Once our earlier generations recognized that larger gifts became possible, it became an easy choice to install a Christmas Tree in the house.

It’s interesting to see how much God continues to bless us with our traditions, regardless of how they originated. Take a moment to think about your fondest Christmas-tree related memories. How did God bless those memories? How did God use a tree to bring us together, make us stronger, and teach us about God’s own story?

Yeah, it’s pretty cool. We can shape a tree but only God can create it. Is your tree real or is it artificial? Either way, God is blessing it! Take a moment to bless the rest of us by attaching a pic of your tree in the comment section below!

“Let heaven celebrate! Let the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it roar! Let the countryside and everything in it celebrate! Then all the trees of the forest too will shout out joyfully before the LORD because he is coming!” (Psalm 96:11-13)

 15 Days to Christmas. Thursday, Dec 10, 2020

What’s Missing?

The Christmas mystery is upon us. Just like the Grinch tried to steal Christmas from Whoville, COVID has already removed several things from Mr. and Mrs. Jones (your neighbor) this year. What did COVID take? For starters, church music and hymns have all but disappeared from worship this year. These might not be a big deal to some people, but, to others, these are very important to the Christmas experience.

What about the Nutcracker, symphony, concerts, or even the new “Star Wars” film this year? Nope, they’re gone as well. So are the ugly sweater Christmas parties, the off-key carolers in the neighborhood, and live nativity scenes.

What about the children’s Christmas pageant? Nope, not in person, anyway. Instead, lots of grandparents will be watching from their tablets, trying to figure out why Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus are socially distanced from one another on the stage.

Or, maybe we should consider everyone’s favorite: The dreaded office Christmas party and potluck! Awwww, that’s a cancellation that will definitely create some tears. But, even this is gone until next year.

We can laugh along but for lots of people, these events and activities are vital pieces of their Christmas experience. Should we be concerned? Not really, unless we truly care about our neighbors. If we do care, maybe we can think of some things to help Mr. and Mrs. Jones overcome the COVID-thefts, helping them to receive a joyful Christmas.

What can we do for someone this year to re-create what COVID has taken? In lieu of home parties, what about group FaceTime or Zoom parties? Maybe we can send a surprise delivery to the neighbor whose family isn’t coming home this year, or a thoughtful, handwritten note to someone that struggles with technology? Doorstep deliveries of homemade treats are always welcome, as are simple anonymous gifts such as fast food gift certificates and cards.

Giving Christmas to someone doesn’t need to be difficult. Rather, it can be as simple as a homemade ornament that does nothing more than show someone that we care. There are plenty of opportunities this year and our simple gestures of love and kindness can make all the difference.

We can do it! Let’s put on our thinking caps and get busy!

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.” (James 2:8, ESV)