Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, 2025

“The Best Day Ever”

Today is Christmas Day. It has arrived. Does the excitement in your heart feel as grand as a glimpse into the Grand Canyon, or do you feel more like a jellyfish, drifting quietly because no one wants to get too close?

Either way, Christmas has arrived.

God’s work continues whether people acknowledge it, agree with it, or even like it. One of the great mysteries of Christmas is that God offers Himself to the world, and it becomes each person’s choice whether to accept or participate in that gift.

Free will may be the greatest power God has given humanity. It truly is a power, because when we choose God, we connect to a source far beyond our natural limits. We become part of something greater than ourselves.

The arrival of Jesus at Christmas is God’s invitation to humanity to step into something beyond our normal ability to experience. Part of the mystery is that the power of God enters our world in a way we can relate to and understand. God comes close, vulnerable, and personal.

Another part of the mystery is this: everyone has a choice. God’s work through Christmas allows us to decide whether we will believe and be included. As we have seen throughout these past weeks, God orchestrated countless moments to bring Christmas into the world. It was not simple or automatic. It involved many people, many miracles, and deep faith.

And today, it involves us.

Give thanks to God today, because the greatest gift has arrived once again. Christmas never truly ends, because God never stops loving us. Each year, Christmas reminds us of that truth and invites us to live it.

Today is Christmas. Today is a gift. Today is the Best Day Ever!

“While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”  (Luke 2:6-7, NRSV adapted)

 1 Day to Christmas, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2025

“The Day Before the Best Day Ever”

The day before the big day is finally here.  What a journey this season has been. The excitement has been building for weeks, and the best day is still ahead.

One of our goals this Advent season has been to focus on the idea of the Best Day Ever. Throughout the month, we have reflected on moments and experiences that caused a particular day in our past to stand out as the best. All along, the deeper purpose has been to point us toward Christmas and the coming of the Lord.

Along the way, we have learned something important. Throughout our lives, we experience many best days.  And often, when a new best day arrives, we discover it is even better than the one before.  In other words, our best day is likely still ahead of us, not behind us, even when it feels impossible.

Speaking as the one who dreamed up this theme in hopes of drawing people into Christmas, I know I have experienced some truly wonderful holidays.  A few of them sit high on a pedestal in my memory, appearing almost perfect and untouched by time.  However, I also know memory can soften the rough edges. Those days were meaningful, but they were never flawless.  They simply look perfect from a distance.

The true Best Day Ever will be the day the Lord calls us home.  Nothing surpasses the day when pain, sorrow, and suffering finally come to an end.  Until that day arrives, God continues to give us moments of deep beauty and joy.  Some are so good they feel nearly perfect, and they are blessings to be received with gratitude.

But to believe that God is finished blessing us would be to believe God is finished with us.  As long as we are here, God still has purpose for our lives.  Even if that purpose is as simple as taking a few more breaths for the sake of someone we love, it still matters.

On this Christmas Eve, we remember Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem.  They were traveling toward their Best Day, though they did not yet know it.  They only knew that God was about to entrust them with a miracle.  Challenges still lay ahead.  Life would not suddenly become easy.  But the world would be changed forever because they did not give up.  They kept going.

One more day to Christmas.  One more step toward the Best Day Ever.  May we, too, keep going, trusting that God is still working, still blessing, and still leading us forward.

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”  (Luke 2:1-5, KJV)

 2 Days to Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

“Best Late Gift”

It is just two days until Christmas. At this point, it is unlikely that you can order a decent gift and have it delivered in time. As a result, panic can surface, prompting some people to jump in their cars and rush to the stores. What did we forget that feels so important? Flour? Wine? Candy and sweets? Or is it something more urgent, like an unexpected guest coming for Christmas with nothing waiting for them?

Whatever it is that we may have forgotten or overlooked, it might help to remember the best late gift we can give: ourselves.

The panic that surfaces at this point in the season tries to pull us into a bad place. Our hearts do not need additional pressure. Our minds can only take so much before exhaustion or headaches appear. Even our bodies need a break.

The best gift we can give to others at Christmas is the same gift God desires from us: our presence.  Like God, our families, loved ones, friends, and neighbors are not expecting expensive gifts. What they truly want is for us to be present and to share in the spirit of the season. That becomes difficult when our hearts are racing and our nerves are frayed.

Think back on past holidays when we acted, responded, or reacted poorly. Those moments are usually rooted in stress, pain, or thoughtlessness. None of us want that, and neither do the people we love.

So today, instead of panicking, choose calm. Breathe. Slow down. You are the most important gift you bring to this season. If a quick trip to the store for socks or candy helps settle your mind, that is fine. Just take it easy.

Our best gift is always ourselves. God created us uniquely in His image so that we could participate in His love for the world. God is not interested in anything we can purchase. God has already given the ultimate gift by coming into the world to be with us, to help us, and to remind us that presence matters more than presents.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT)

 3 Days to Christmas, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

“A Big Announcement”

The Annunciation is the theological term for that moment when an angel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah. Long ago, the Church chose to give special attention to this event, and rightfully so. Not long after Mary’s Annunciation, Joseph, her betrothed, also received an angelic visit. These are among the most well-known angelic visits, but depending on how we count them, there are up to 300 recorded in Scripture.

That sounds like a lot, but these visits occurred over 1,500 to 2,000 years. If we do the math, that’s roughly one visit every five to seven years.

I’ve never been visited by an angel, but I had a relative who encountered one on his deathbed and then miraculously recovered. He shared that encounter with only one person, and that person shared it with me, and no one else.

My relative wasn’t a churchgoer. I know he believed in God, especially after that encounter, but he didn’t become a regular attendee or drastically change his habits. Does it matter? I’m not sure it did for him, but having that story for thirty years has encouraged me.

Why am I encouraged? I like the idea that God has messengers and divine interveners. It comforts me, especially during challenging times.

Over these past four weeks, churches have been reading about angelic visits. Many of us will hear them again on Christmas Eve, along with the story of the angels who appeared to shepherds watching their flocks by night.

Angels show up to bring news, but they also give words to guide.  Zechariah and Elizabeth needed an angel to encourage them in their miraculous birth. Mary needed the angel’s words to give her confidence. Joseph needed the angel’s instruction to give him strength. The shepherds needed a huge announcement so they could proclaim the good news to everyone. And we need those reminders, too, not because we can’t celebrate Christmas without them, but because Christmas becomes richer with them.

As Christmas draws near, let us remember that while angelic visits may be rare, God’s presence is constant. Whether we have seen angels or not, we know God still intervenes in our lives. And the greatest announcement of all is that God is with us—Emmanuel. That is the message that makes this season so full of hope.

“When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.  When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!”   (Luke 1:26-28, CEB)

 4 Days to Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

“4th Sunday”

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. It may not mean much to those who don’t attend church: There are no thoughts of Advent candles, fewer thoughts of churches adorned in their finest, and even fewer thoughts about the deeper meaning of Christmas.

For those who participate in Christmas but don’t affiliate with a church, their minds are filled with tasks to complete before the big day—stuffing stockings, loading the tree with gifts, and grocery shopping.

They are also thinking about capturing family traditions and connecting with loved ones. Non-churchgoers will be washing cars, watching holiday specials and sports, and making sure Santa’s reindeer have healthy snacks for their journey.

Those who aren’t attending church will have plenty to keep them busy. We, like them, will be busy with all those tasks, as well. However, we will also have a church. Preachers will bring their best sermons, musicians and choirs will give their best efforts, and the Christmas story will be read from the lectern.

We church-goers are no different than anyone else this time of year. However, because we choose to add church to the mix, it helps us bring a deeper meaning to all that we do. This provides a different lens through which to view the world around us:  a lens of hope and love, joy and peace, faith and smiles.

We all know someone who isn’t, won’t, or can’t attend a church this holiday season. Is there anything we can do? Could an invitation help? Could directing them to the livestream offer a special experience? Does any of it matter?

Yes, it does. The gifts God provides through Christmas are powerful. We didn’t create them, but we experience them because of our choice. And these gifts from God were never meant for a few…they are for the whole world. If there was ever a time to share Christmas with the world, that time is now. Let’s offer the hope and love we know, and trust that God will do the rest.

“The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world.”  (John 1:9, CEV)

 5 Days to Christmas, Saturday, Dec 20, 2025

“Super Saturday”

Today is the Saturday before Christmas. Although it may not mean much to everyone, it means a great deal to the U.S. economy. The Saturday before Christmas is known as Super Saturday because retail sales often rival those of Black Friday.

Stores will be packed today. Restaurants will be full. Concerts, shows, and productions will be at capacity. Traffic will be heavy, and tempers will flare. If you’re not into the holidays and prefer to avoid the seasonal frenzy, today might be a good day to stay home, because on Super Saturday it will be everywhere.

But for those of us trying to keep God at the center of the holiday season, this isn’t such a bad thing.

In the midst of the chaos, we’ll encounter countless opportunities to smile, make new friends, and reflect the love of Christ. Don’t worry, this isn’t another plea to attend church. Instead, it’s a reminder about spreading Christmas cheer during what can be a stressful time for many.

What kind of difference could a simple smile or kind greeting make? What if we let someone merge into traffic, or give up a good parking spot for someone else?

Sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest difference. Super Saturday doesn’t have to be miserable for everyone, especially if enough of us are intentional about living out our faith in the moments that matter most.

“Cast all your anxiety on the LORD because he cares for you.”  (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)

 6 Days to Christmas, Friday, Dec 19, 2025

The First “Merry Christmas”

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol might be the most iconic and influential holiday story of all time. It was published on this day in 1843. The first edition included 6,000 printed copies, all of which were sold by Christmas Eve that same year. In other words, it was an instant hit, and even more importantly, it helped popularize the phrase “Merry Christmas.”

The Christmas greeting itself was first published more than one hundred years earlier by Bishop John Fisher, who wrote it in a letter to Thomas Cromwell, the chief minister of King Henry VIII. The phrase circulated modestly, but it was not until Dickens published his famous story that “Merry Christmas” became a widely used greeting.

What do you think? Is there a place on earth that has never heard the phrase “Merry Christmas”? Does everyone know what it means? How do people respond when we say it? And how do we respond when someone says it to us?

Isn’t it amazing how a simple greeting can go such a long way? In recent years, many of us have begun using the phrase “Happy Holidays” instead. I understand that and often say it myself, since not everyone celebrates Christmas. Still, the phrase “Merry Christmas” carries a sweeter and more fulfilling feeling.

It is the last Friday before Christmas. Offer someone a “Merry Christmas” today and see what happens… and God bless us, every one!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  (Romans 15:13, NRSVue)

 7 Days to Christmas, Thursday, Dec 18, 2025

“One Week: Something Will Happen”

We are officially one week away from the peak of the holiday season. Thankfully, I do not have a huge meal to cook this year. Like many of you, I was in charge of the holiday meal for many, many years. In some ways I loved it. In other ways, I could not stand it. I miss it now, for sure. But honestly, when I think about it too much, my back starts to hurt just remembering the long hours on my feet. So I try not to think about it for very long.

Do you have a cherished memory that is also a little painful? It is strange how the same experience can stir up both joy and discomfort at the same time.

Some people experience the entire holiday season that way. As a result, we label them with names like Mr. Scrooge, the Grinch, or even Scott Farkus. But here is the truth: Every one of us has a little bit of those characters inside us. We cannot all be Buddy the Elf all the time! 

It takes effort to smile constantly, stay cheerful, and treat everyone with love and patience.  Yet that is often the image we have of the holidays. Everything is supposed to be joyful and bright. The reality is that a little bit of Grinch is going to sneak in from time to time and try to steal the presents.

How do we deal with that? One option is to pretend the mess does not exist, like refusing to say the name Voldemort out loud. But a better approach is probably to acknowledge it when we sense it creeping in. Sometimes simply recognizing that we have taken a wrong turn is enough to help us reset. It is unlikely that this final week before Christmas will be perfect or painless.

And that is okay. Sometimes the skunk living in the wall becomes part of a story we laugh about later. After all, if the Grinch and Mr. Scrooge can have a change of heart and find their way back, there is no reason we or our loved ones cannot do the same.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”  (Philippians 4:4, NIV)

 8 Days to Christmas, Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025

“Do You Know What You Did?”

Do you know what you did? That question immediately puts me on the defensive, ready to come back and defend my words or actions. But today, this question is not meant to worry anyone. Instead, it’s meant to call our attention to something good, positive, and encouraging that we did.

For instance, on this date 103 years ago, the Wright brothers celebrated their first powered, sustained flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Do they know what they did? Could they have imagined the skies filled with millions of people every day, traveling from place to place? I doubt it.

Most of us haven’t invented something that changes the whole world. However, there are plenty of things we can do to help change our homes, neighborhoods, and communities. What kind of things am I thinking about?

Consider this: Have you ever seen someone give money to a panhandler? When you see it, what thoughts come to mind? And if you’ve seen it several times, do your thoughts always stay the same, or do they shift depending on the context?

Now, let’s turn it around. Have you ever given money or goods to someone in need, or to an organization that provides for them?

My point is that just as others’ actions can give us pause, our actions can make an impact. Of course, we don’t help others just to be seen. Someone may give a fortune to a hospital in exchange for having their name on the building—that’s one way to give. Another is to give a dollar to a panhandler or drop off nonperishables at the church so local foodbanks can feed the hungry.

The holiday season is the season of giving. But not because we need a tax deduction for 2025. We give even more in It’s the giving season because we are blessed, and many people need a lot of help.

Let’s keep our ears to the ground and our eyes up. We’ll likely encounter someone who needs help—or find a way to give back to those who care for others.

“For I have given you an example—you should do just as I have done for you.”  (John 13:15, NET)

 9 Days to Christmas, Tuesday, Dec 16, 2025

“The Joy of Church at Christmas”

This third week of Advent is dedicated to the theme of Christmas Joy. It seems easy enough to find joy… After all, this isn’t Lent! This is Advent: full of good food, fun, and joy.

It’s too bad that Lent, the time of preparation for Easter, gets such a bad rap. As some folks know, I try to dress up Lent each year to make it… well… almost fun!  It’s a bit like putting lipstick on a pig! But don’t worry, I’ll make it easy in 2026.

Christmas is different. It brings so much joy on its own that I don’t have to dress it up at all. Instead, I try to infuse it with meaning, recognizing that the Church has everything to do with Christmas. It was the Church, in fact, that established the date of Santa’s deliveries. The Church gave us Christmas music, pageants, wreaths on our doors, nativity sets, candy canes, and Advent candles. These and many, many more have their origins in the Church!

Now, none of these traditions are commanded by God in the Bible.  But our most beloved holiday traditions connect back to the Church, which created these to help us fully experience the importance of this season.  So, for those who aren’t church folks but love the holiday season, you might want to give the Church a little credit! In fact, if you’re reading this, I’d say you should be at a church somewhere on Christmas Eve, at the very least.

Why go to church on Christmas Eve? I think the bigger question is, “Why wouldn’t you?” If you’ve got deep pain from the Church, consider me your manager in your corner of the ring. I get it. But don’t blame the Church for the really foolish things that a few of us clergy, leadership, and members have done. The Church is God’s outreach into the world, and without it, the world would be in even more of a mess.

Your visits to a local church this holiday season (one more Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve/Day, and the two Sundays of Christmas) will be important contributors to your holiday joy this year. Don’t let it slip by. Yes, God can bless you wherever you are, but this holiday season, your best blessings will be at a church.

Give God a chance in church. Attend a church this holiday season. Can’t attend in person? Stream church live if possible. Recorded services are okay too, but live offers more emphasis on the experience.

“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ ”  (Psalm 122:1, NIV)

 10 Days to Christmas, Monday, Dec 15, 2025

“Don’t Forget!”

What did you forget today? Did you forget your purse or wallet? What about your phone? Did you leave your coffee at home or forget to bring your lunch?

Forgetting things is frustrating, but it’s also very common. Plenty of industries have capitalized on our tendency to forget: stationery, sticky notes, tablets, and phone apps, just to name a few. Forgetting is part of life for everyone, which is why we have so many tools designed to help us remember. Even the medical industry addresses it with pill organizers, daily alarms, and appointment reminders.

I wish I could remember everything. But does anyone really remember everything? If so, I’ve never met them. I’ve known a few people who think they remember everything, but I know that’s not true, just from the little bit I do remember. Remembering is difficult, and remembering accurately is an even greater challenge.

Thankfully, God doesn’t forget anything (or anyone). What’s even more remarkable is that God doesn’t hold grudges against us when we strive to be faithful. Yes, God wants us to remember our neighbors, those in need, and those most at risk. But God also understands that sometimes we forget. Forgetting is not always a reflection of our intentions; often, it reveals how easily we become singularly focused.

The holiday season invites us to think outside our own boxes for a while. God desires for us to experience more joy in this life. Often, giving back is one of the clearest paths to receiving that joy. God doesn’t want us to forget that there is a much bigger world beyond what we see and experience every day.

We need to remember to step outside our boxes, and Monday is the perfect day to begin. The holiday season is about experiencing God’s joy for all the world, not just one, two, or twenty people.

So, what (or who) have we forgotten today? Can we do something about it?  Thanks be to the LORD.  Our God never forgets any of us.

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”  (1 Peter 4:8, NLT)

 

11 Days to Christmas, Sunday, December 14, 2025

“Braking for Joy”

We have reached the third Sunday of Advent, and our calendars are picking up speed as we race toward the end of the year. This is the perfect moment to reflect on the Advent theme of Joy. Not because Joy is missing from our lives, but because we might miss some of its greatest gifts if we move too quickly.

I am speaking to myself in this devotion. I am one of those fast moving, high energy people who cannot sit still. Call it ants in my pants or anything else you like, but these are the days when I must pay extra attention. Tasks become my focus. Do not give me explanations, just hand me the bullet points.

And this is where I will miss it: As I check off my list, then double check it again, I will overlook the writing in between the lines. That is dangerous for me because so much of life takes place between those lines. Important things that may not even be written anywhere, yet are completely real and meaningful. I am hoping that admitting this danger will help me put the brakes on myself.

Does this make sense to you? Do you have something on your horizon that could easily drain your Christmas Joy? Do not let that happen. Perhaps you can take a few moments to recognize the places where you tend to lose focus, and gently slow things down.

God wants us to enjoy the Holidays. These are sacred moments that only God can create, and God did not create them so that we would miss the blessings set before us. The Lord is ready to pour out Joy.

Are we ready to receive it? If not, this is the time to prepare.

“Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.”  (Proverbs 37:7, NRSVue)

 12 Days to Christmas, Saturday, Dec 13, 2025

It Should Be a Happy Saturday

Is Saturday the best day of the week? I used to think so. No school. Then, as I grew older, no work. Eventually God called me into something different, and Saturdays became work days again.

Even though I am working, it is still Saturday. Many people work on Saturdays, especially the people we depend on the most. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and members of the military are only a few. I am grateful for all of them. Working on a Saturday does not mean it is a bad day. In fact, some of the best days of my life have been connected to my work in one way or another.

It is easy to forget how blessed we are to have tasks that need our attention. Sometimes we might blurt out something that suggests we are unhappy with our responsibilities, but when we pause and think about it, we really are thankful. Whether it is our job or a personal responsibility that requires our skills and experience, these things give us purpose, confidence, and a sense of value.

We all need that. Every person needs to feel valued. Everyone needs to know that their presence matters and that what they do makes a difference. It simply feels good to be needed.

Since all of this is true, we should be mindful of those who do not feel that way. Many people struggle during the holiday season. Loss, loneliness, and regret are more common than we realize, even among our closest friends and family. Some of us may even be in that very place, quietly wondering if anyone notices or cares.

We do care. We truly do. We are simply preoccupied with life. Human beings naturally think of their own responsibilities first. We worry about working on a Saturday rather than checking in on the people we love, our neighbors, or even the strangers we pass on the sidewalk.

Because today is a Saturday during the holiday season, maybe it is a good time to reach out to someone. How are they doing? If they are recovering or healing, how is that going? If they are away from home this year, are they feeling supported? A simple phone call or a thoughtful text message could make more difference than we will ever know.

“Strength is the glory of young men; gray hair is the splendor of old age.”  (Proverbs 20:29, CEB)

 13 Days to Christmas, Friday, Dec 12, 2025

“Half Full and Half Empty”

We’ve reached the halfway point of the 2025 Holiday Season.  Woohoo! Or, for some, “yikes!”

Often, we’re asked to choose between an optimistic or a pessimistic outlook, but right now, many of us are feeling a mix of both. By midday today, we’ll have experienced half of the 2026 Holiday Season. Have we enjoyed it? Have we missed anything? Do we feel ahead or behind in our plans?

This reflection is important because churches, in particular, are feeling the crunch. We have two of the biggest Sundays of the year ahead, along with Christmas Eve. There are plenty of tasks that demand our attention to make this season meaningful for everyone.

Do you feel that pressure in your own life? Is there something ahead that truly demands your focus? I’m not talking about the superficial tasks like gift buying, but more about the meaningful responsibilities, like preparing a holiday meal, or hosting a gathering that requires your attention.

How do we handle these genuine stresses? Perhaps a little dose of Christmas Peace can help. It’s that elusive theme we often forget in the moments we need it most.

Pause. Take a breath. Thirteen days is plenty of time, and if it doesn’t feel like it, maybe God is guiding us toward something different. God doesn’t want us to be anxious. Even if we’ve missed something, it’s okay. God is leading us toward Christmas, the best day ever.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7, NRSVue)