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When Christmas isn't enough.

It's the eve before Christmas Eve. The day before everything becomes a giant blur and we wake up with PCD (Post-Christmas Depression) wondering what just happened and where all our money went.

Or maybe that's just me.

But likely, most of you probably know what I’m talking about.

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Before we let these next few days pass as quickly as a slice of ham - I just want to take a moment to reflect on the reason we celebrate in the first place.

A Savior came for us.

I can get caught up in watching cheesy Christmas movies and baking cut-out cookies with the best of them - but nothing gets my heart going more than reflecting on Jesus coming to earth as a baby.

I'll be honest, for twenty-five Christmases that didn't really mean much to me. I mean I thought it was adorable and everything - Jesus as a baby, with shepherds and wise men bowing down to Him. I pictured the scene from The Lion King when Mufasa was holding Simba up for all the animal kingdom to see. Except, Jesus' crowd was a little smaller - but considering the angels - still epic, nonetheless.

Now that I've had two babies of my own, I consider so many other things about the infancy of Christ.

Like, remembering the first moment I laid eyes on my own baby boy's face. It was an overwhelming feeling that I've never been able to put into words. And one that I imagine overwhelmed Mary in a similar, and even greater way. Her baby boy was also God in the flesh. You don't have to be a parent to consider the awe of holding God for the first time. But somehow, I never really grasped it until I was.

I also consider things like the fact that Jesus would have once had to have his diaper changed. Talk about humility.

There is actually a common theme of humility strung throughout the story of Jesus' birth. From the unwed mother who carried him, to the unconventional place He was born, to the first people to learn about his arrival - Jesus was not sent to be royalty on earth. And yet, God chose for Jesus to be biologically carried full-term and born from a woman because, he wanted him to have a birthday. He wanted His Son to be celebrated. And from the moment the angels appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of our Savior, the celebration hasn't stopped!

And thousands of years later we have an established calendar holiday for the birth of Jesus Christ - the day we call, "Christmas." 

But if I could be honest with you, Christmas Day as much as I enjoy it, doesn't quite seem like enough. First of all, it comes and goes so quickly (TWO MORE DAYS!) And I struggle to fit in every single tradition - decorate the tree, go see Christmas lightsread stories, open gifts, prepare food, watch movies, sing songs, eat food and enjoy being with family. Those are all wonderful things and great ways to celebrate, but if we were really to celebrate the birth of Jesus the way God intended it - I think we would do more seeking of His face and less stuffing of ours (but by all means, please do stuff your face - good food shouldn't go to waste!)

When you believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, just celebrating His birth isn't enough. He becomes worthy of celebration in the normal, mundane, every day of your life.

And this, my friends, is the most wonderful news of all! Good news to those of you who want peace, love and joy all year long. And good news to those who feel like Christmas Day is full of pain and a longing for better days. 

This Christmas will be a bit of a different one for us. We'll be missing some family members and utilizing the (great) invention of Facetime and social media to share moments with others.

But when traditions end, plans fall through and family can't be together to celebrate - Jesus still deserves to be.

And maybe, for some of you, this will be the first Christmas you really, truly see Jesus as the reason to celebrate. I can promise you, that once you do - Christmas will never be enough for you either.

 

A Joy So Contagious

I love everything about Christmas. The decorations, the parades, the food, the music... I'm a sucker for all of it. In fact, I sing "Silent Night" year-round to my little ones at night, I love it so much.

This is my favorite holiday.

This year, my children are at great ages - Hannah is one and a half and Micah is 3 years old - when everything starts to come alive! And sometimes, quite literally. Like the motion-sensor snowman in our bathroom that says funny things upon entrance,  "Are you doing okay? You're looking a little flushed! Get it, flushed?! Hahaha!" and "If you're looking for some paper to wrap presents with, I have plenty in here!" Hannah enjoys those things as long as she's still standing 10 feet away.

And while their little minds are growing in wonder and excitement over the little things each day, I can't help but feel it too! Being around them makes me feel like a child at Christmas all over again.

Because, joy is contagious. Their joy is contagious. 

photo by Justin Robinson

photo by Justin Robinson

I believe with all my heart that we have the opportunity to be contagious with our joy this holiday season. More than any other time of the year, people are looking for hope, peace, love and joy. They want to believe in the Jesus of the Christmas story. Because without Jesus, there would be no, "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," or "O Holy Night." Sure, you still have the jolly, ole Saint Nicholas - but even his joy wears off as soon as Christmas ends. 

The joy that Jesus brings lasts the whole year through. 

And, let me tell you, that's a reason to celebrate right there! One month-ish of festivities doesn't seem like a big enough "thank you party" for Jesus. But hey, it's something the whole world joins in with so, I'm not complaining. 

This joy does not always come without hardship or trial or days when you feel like you just can't get out of bed to face it. Those days are the very reason we need Jesus. And, truly, when our joy is most contagious. The world is baffled at things that don't make sense - hope in the midst of despair, love in the midst of hatred, peace in the midst of chaos and joy in the midst of pain. 

There are some things going on in my life right now that I am struggling to have joy in. Nothing life-threatening. But circumstances that I would surely not choose for me or my loved ones to be facing this holiday season. Maybe you are too. But know that even during the private battles - joy can still shine so evidently. Not everyone needs to know your pain to see your joy. 

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Every morning, Micah wakes up and asks, "Is it Christmas today?!" Because he knows the REAL party is coming - when family gathers together in one room, presents will be opened, delicious food (and cookies!) eaten. And every day I say, "Not yet. But we're going to keep celebrating!" 

May we live every moment of our lives with as much expectancy for Jesus' return as we do for Christmas Day. And while THE day might not be TODAY, may we celebrate with a joy so contagious as if it was. 

Guest Post: Not All Peace and Quiet

I had the opportunity to share a few thoughts over on our church's website on Peace this holiday season. Our new communications director (and one of my dear friends), Emily, asked me to write about this topic after a conversation we had one day on the struggle to find peace in the midst of difficult seasons. It's a lesson that I am learning personally and one that I find especially important during the holiday season, when (financial, relational and emotional) anxiety tends to rise. I pray that this post would encourage you to seek His peace during this season and beyond. 

photo by Justin Robinson

photo by Justin Robinson

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

I’m a mom of two toddlers. My life is filled with all kinds of noise: high-pitched shrills of joy and anger, sudden tearful outbursts, milk dripping on the floor… and that’s just coming from me! Don’t get me started on how loud those little humans can be.

When it comes to having some “peace and quiet” in my life, I’ve learned that I can still strive for the peace, even when the quiet seems impossible.

Jesus was given many names throughout Scripture to describe His character. One of the names that is celebrated and sung about most often during the Christmas season is, “Prince of Peace.” This is a beautiful reminder that in the very nature of Jesus, resides peace.

Reflecting on the Christmas story and how Jesus was born in a stable next to smelly, farm animals, I think we can assume that it was not all peace and quiet in there either. I can imagine the animals may have become territorial about their space. And if I was Mary, I would have been less than calm about the idea of giving birth in such an unsanitary place. But there he came, and with him came peace.

Click here to continue reading, "Not All Peace and Quiet."