Read all the Christmas posts

Anticipating

This past Saturday was one of my favorite days of the year, and not just because it was the SEC football championship game. It was the annual Christmas shopping day. Armed with the kids' Christmas lists and our Christmas club money, Jon and I took off for a marathon day, and tried to get as much of the shopping done as we possibly could. I love shopping for the kids, and in every store countless things caught my eye – Oh, Rachel would love this. This has Alan's name on it. This is perfect for Lauren.

When we got home that evening, I told them what a great shopping day we'd had. My youngest was especially wide-eyed as I told her I couldn't wait for her to see the presents we had bought – things not on the list, things she didn't even know existed, things that would be waiting under the Christmas tree.

Knowing that, they are even more excited about Christmas. They cannot wait until they can open presents. The anticipation is almost overwhelming.

Easy to relate to, isn't it? Now consider this…

In 1 Corinthians 2:9 Paul says, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." We believe that. At least I think we do. But somehow we've lost the joyous anticipation, that almost painful Christmas-type longing we had as kids.

What happened?

We have seen the goodness and grace of God each and every day. And yet He tells us there is more. In fact, He wants to spend the ages to come revealing the "exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:1).

Things not on the list. Things we never knew existed. All waiting for us… How many more days til we get to see them?

Some Reasons to Visit Another Church

By Paula

Christmas Eve, my family and I attended a church service at another church in town. If you don't get a chance to visit other churches periodically it can be a really good thing. Here's why-

You get to just to "be" in a worship service, and maybe even sit with your family. We attend a small church and most of us are busy during the worship services. Visiting gives us a break.

You stay engaged. Face it, when you know it's a welcome, two songs, offering, two songs, special and sermon it's easy to disengage. Or at least it is for me.

You don't know everyone's backstory. They're just fellow pilgrims, worshipping Jesus, just like you.

You learn things. There's no one right way to do ministry or to do a worship service.

You remember it's not about you. The focus shifts from the role you're supposed to perform to the Savior and Redeemer you've come to worship.

What happened the last time you visited another church?

Have You Seen Jesus?

By Paula

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. (Luke 2:17)

Shepherds.

Regular guys.

Telling everybody they ran into about Jesus.

Have you seen Jesus?

What Not to Pack

By Paula

Monday we did the "unhanging of the greens" and packed up Christmas decorations until next year. (You know, there's never as much enthusiasm for un-decorating as there is for decorating. But that's another topic for another day.)

We boxed up the ornaments, took down the tree, packed the lights, and stored the wreath away in their designated corner in the attic.

Often, unfortunately, I do the same thing with my faith. Sure, it's exciting to get it out when everyone has theirs out. Or when the 'season' is right, like Christmas, Easter, or even Sunday. But then it's far too easy to pack it away on the 'regular' days.

I don't want my faith to be an ornament or a decoration. Casually donned. Easily shed.

I want my relationship with Jesus Christ to be a defining mark of who I am.

Like my fingerprint. Left behind on all that I touch.

No Returns, No Exchanges

By Paula

One of the major activities the week between Christmas and New Year's is returning and exchanging gifts. Stores often promote their quick, easy and painless return policy to ease your mind before you spend your hard-earned cash.

Maybe you received something that was the wrong size, the wrong color, or just plain… wrong.

I'm guessing there are a few other gifts, that were exactly what you asked for, but in the coming months, you'll find they don't quite live up to expectations. Maybe they aren't as durable, don't launder well, use up batteries too quickly, or are hard to store.

But there are a few presents – and you know the ones – that delight you with how unexpectedly wonderful they are. They are the things that blow us away. We use the thing every single day. We don't know how we ever got along without it, and we whisper a blessing on the person who chose it for us every time we use it.

You know, years ago, Jesus Christ paid for me (and you too). And while He will never wrap me back in the filthy rags of my own righteousness and try to return me – NEVER (Amen!) – because of His payment, I want to do all I can to become that useful present, rather than the disappointing one.

Thankfully, He doesn't leave that responsibility on me. He keeps tinkering, honing and strengthening me, testing and stretching me, making me ever more suited to the jobs He has for me.

No returns. No exchanges. Just working with what He has. Wow.

Promise of a Snow Day

By Paula

(If you're not a snow person, you'll have to some up with your own analogy on this one.)

We got a snow day today. We had one Monday, too. All through Sunday school, the kids and I tried to stay focused on the lesson while keeping an eye on the white stuff outside. Once we got home, the first thing my son did was get the "snow candle" out and light it. He lit it again yesterday afternoon.

The candle doesn't "make" it snow. It's just a fun way to express our hopes for a day off.

God makes promises far more sure than the weather forecast. While I've seen many of them fulfilled, He assures us, "You ain't seen nothing yet!" (That's a paraphrase Isaiah 64:4 & 1 Corinthians 2:9)

He promises things like – "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

During Christmas, we celebrate the fulfillment of His greatest promise- sending a Savior and making a way for us to spend eternity with Him. We even light candles to express that. Today and everyday, may we live in hopeful anticipation of the final completion of that promise!