Making Christmas Memorable

Christmas day will be here in a week and for many this means a week full of stress. Panic is beginning to set in. Gifts to buy, parties to prepare, cookies to bake, tree to trim, family and friends to visit. Time is running out to get it all done.

Stop.

For a moment simply stop and take a deep breath. (Read the next few lines then follow the instructions). Close your eyes and breathe deeply. As you exhale, with your eyes still closed, envision yourself back in time. Way back in time, over 2000 years ago. You are standing outside a manger, the smell of animals fills the air, the stars overhead are lighting up the night sky, and you are waiting for a sound, not any sound, but the sound of a newborn baby crying. Not just any baby. You are waiting for a young girl to give birth to her first child—she will call him Jesus, Go ahead … take a moment and do this now. Imagine you are actually there when Jesus is born.

What did you feel, what was going through your mind?

I will share with you what my experience was as I did this very thing. I sensed excitement and anticipation filling my soul. A sense of wonder—when will I hear the cry?

Then I heard it, I really did. Then a sigh of relief was expressed as I exhaled. I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath waiting for the birth cry. What a joyful moment that was. I smiled. I cried. I was thankful. I couldn’t wait to see the precious little baby. I wanted to hold him close, to be near to him. I didn’t want to leave. The peace in my heart was tangible.

Wow. For a moment all time stood still. I wasn’t thinking about anything but the baby,and the joy that filled my heart. Then I opened my eyes and instantly everything changed. I sensed the reality of today. A week before Christmas and so much is yet to be done. If only I could have stayed in that moment.

Why can’t I? Why can’t you? Why can’t we simply focus on Jesus this Christmas? When did it become so complicated? It was never intended to be so stressful.

Traditions are wonderful if they can be embraced with the joy in which they were designed. Maybe this week, before yet another Christmas passes, things can be different. What if we shifted our focus from our traditional forms of celebrating and intentionally became mindful of the reason for the gatherings, gifts, and the food? Could we possibly feel peace, joy, and wonderment? Could we experience the true sense of Christmas in every way? I want that for myself and those I love, including you.

God intended to free us from the bondages stealing our joy and peace. “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Stop and take another deep breath. Hopefully this little exercise helped you to remember the true meaning of Christmas. In this last week before Christmas, share the joy, and peace of Jesus with those around you.

Perhaps this is the reminder you needed to hear today. I know even as I write, I am speaking to myself. Life often has a way of distracting us from what is true and beautiful and in its place we get a false sense of joy. Let’s be intentional about making Christmas memorable this year for all the right reasons.

For those who are still feeling as though this week is a race on steroids to make it to the Christmas day finish line, here are a few tips to slow the pace down and enjoy the moment.

• Instead of worrying about buying the perfect gift for your family member, neighbor, or co-worker, say a prayer of thanksgiving for their presence in your life.

• Sit and write a note of what you value most about the people in your life, place it in a hand written envelop, and gift that as a present. Your heart will be filled to overflowing as you watch, or hear about, how their eyes lit up as they read each line.

• Instead of comparing your decorations to the house down the street, be thankful you have a roof over your head.

• Instead of stressing out doing all the party prep by yourself, be thankful for the friends and family that are near. Keep it simple, there is nothing to prove, no one to impress (you are already loved because of who you are, not what you do). After all, when the day is over, it’s really about the people anyway. Tomorrow you will be hungry and thirsty once again. Embrace every moment to be close to those you care about.

• Those cookies that you didn’t get to bake yet, ask the kids, your spouse, or your friends to come and bake with you. Make it an experience rather than a chore.

Lastly, but most importantly, the greatest gift for Christmas has all ready been bought, wrapped and given—Jesus. It’s up to you to receive.

Merry Christmas.

You are irreplaceable, God loves you and I love you. I pray this final week before Christmas is filled with joy, peace, wonderment, and love, for you and yours. May this Christmas be filled with precious Christmas memories.

-Lucy Ann

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