24 Days to Christmas. Tuesday, Dec 1, 2020

"Finish Strong"

The month of December has finally begun. It’s the last month of a pandemic-filled year that has created chaos and turmoil for everyone. Many of us are just ready for 2020 to be finished so that we can put it behind us and HOPE for a better 2021. However, if we focus entirely on pushing 2020 back up the chimney, we may miss some great blessings that are in store for us. Wouldn’t it be great if we could point out some blessings of 2020? They’re out there, but it may seem like we’re looking for a diamond in a sack full of coal and soot.

Despite what we’re all experiencing, God is continuing to bless us in many ways. Although Christmastime will look different this year, family and friends, a roof over our heads, food on the table, and stockings by the chimney are a few of the blessings most of us enjoy. However, many more blessings are easily overlooked if we don’t pay attention. For example, how many of us have learned to enjoy the outdoors more this year? And what about home and school working environments? Although these have been difficult at times, there’s no doubt that we’ve learned to balance time much better than before.

December is considered by many people to be a month of great joy and fellowship. This doesn’t have to change, but it’s going to be different. Today, spend some time thinking about a blessing you’ve experienced in 2020. Then, think about how you can multiply that blessing for someone else this month. It might be replacing a “Dirty Santa” gift with a genuine gift from the heart, or organizing a virtual Christmas party for family and friends. Or, maybe it’s hosting a small, intimate, and socially-distanced meal with a couple of people who have blessed you, versus the large gatherings that can’t occur.

We can do this! This month is still connected to 2020; we can’t fix that issue. However, we might have a little something to say about how this year finishes. Yes, we can finish strong!

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the HOPE to which God has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” (Ephesians 1:18, NIV).