Embrace the Season!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Let's enjoy each twinkling light,
Reminding us of the star that shone
On that first Christmas night.
Embrace the season!

As you decorate your Christmas tree,
Remember the one used
To hold the Virgin Mary's baby.
Embrace the season!

While wrapping up each present,
Reflect on the meaning of
The gifts that the Magi sent.
Embrace the season!

As you sing carols of Christ's birth,
Revel in how the angels sang
Of our Savior's worth!
Embrace the season!

Although Christmas time is busy,
Rejoice in its true reason,
As you take the time to
Embrace the season!

Ah, Christmas! The most wonderful time of the year! I must say, I truly love everything about Christmas. I fully embrace the secular and the spiritual aspects of the season. I love the decorations-every room in my house is decked out! I love Christmas trees-I have 3 of them! I enjoy shopping and wrapping gifts-gifts is my love language, so naturally giving them brings me joy. Music speaks to my soul, so I enjoy nearly every Christmas song out there.

But to be honest, I can get lost in the busyness of Christmas and lose sight of the real reason for the celebration. I need reminders of that first Christmas to put the season into perspective. So, as I look out my window at the Christmas lights adorning our house, I think about the star that shone above the place where baby Jesus was born. (“We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. Matthew 2:2) Just as that star guided the shepherds and wise men to the stable to worship Him, the Christmas lights around my house and all over town can guide me back to the manger scene to reflect on The Love that came down that night.

Decorating the Christmas tree can also be a reminder of the Christmas story. As mentioned earlier, I have 3 of them in my house. One is the main tree decorated with an eclectic assortment of ornaments. They include our first ornament as husband and wife, our children’s first Christmases, handmade ornaments from them, ornaments from friends and family past and present, and the many trips we’ve taken. As these ornaments tell the history of our family, I’m reminded of the history of Jesus’s family and the significance of His lineage. (The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Matthew 1:1) Another tree is decorated with ornaments I received through the years from my students. This tree brings back fond memories of the children I taught during my 33 years of teaching, and reminds me of the most precious child, the baby Jesus. (for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11) The last tree is my angel tree. All the ornaments are some form of an angel. As I place each angel on the tree, I’m reminded of the many angels in the Christmas story, such as the one who announced the good news to the shepherds. (And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:9-12) Each of these trees hold precious memories, which reminds me of the first Christmas tree. It was cut down and shaped into a manger to hold a very special treasure-baby Jesus! (“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12)

Gifts are a big part of Christmas and can overshadow what Christmas is really all about. Because gifting is my love language, I can get carried away at Christmas. I like to buy lots of little things. Stockings are filled with items that are meaningful to that person, a gift bag to a friend full of treasures I’ve bought throughout the year as I thought about them, traditional gifts I give out every year to my family. All of these are given out of love and appreciation for each individual. As I wrap these gifts, I am reminded of the gifts the Magi gave Jesus. (And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11) Each of these gifts had a specific connection to Jesus. The gold was given to honor Jesus as a King. Frankincense was used by the high priest in the temple on the Day of Atonement. The Magi were proclaiming Jesus as their high priest when they presented Him with this incense. Myrrh is an embalming oil, so it symbolized Christ’s mortality as a son of man. All three gifts proclaimed the prophesy of the Messiah as King and Savior.

Another integral part of Christmas is the songs. Songs that bring laughter and joy, songs that praise the birth of Jesus, and songs that give pause to that first Christmas. Some songs are purely secular, and are simply fun to sing. Others are so full of deep meaning, they touch your very soul. Some are steeped in tradition, and others are brand new. I recently attended a Christmas concert and heard 3 new songs. One was about Joseph, one was about the joy of Christmas, and another one was about the Light of Christmas. Isn’t it amazing that there are still new ways to tell the Christmas story?! It’s comforting to hear the traditional songs, but it’s also refreshing to hear new ones. It revives the spirit of Christmas within us. Singing these songs is a reminder of the host of angels that sang glory to God at the birth of Jesus. (And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. Luke 2:13-14)

So, as you go about the season with all the activities it entails, remember the star, the manger, the gifts of the Magi, and the angels, and the connection they have to the birth of our Savior. This Christmas, may you be filled with the hope, love, joy, and peace that God sent down that first Christmas night. Embrace the season!

Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Son. Give me opportunities to tell the Christmas story. Let me keep Jesus at the center of the season as I go about the various activities and celebrations, giving You all glory and honor! Amen