Christmas Connections

It’s time!  Once the big red and green totes come out the attic, Christmas starts filling our house.  All things Christmas seem to start rolling in soon after that takes place.    Decorating, shopping, parties, gifts, concerts, services,  cooking, and more.  

You are well aware of the joy, the fun, and the rush of the season.  The few short weeks fly by and if we aren’t intentional, we will miss some important connections this Christmas. 

1.  Connect with Jesus

I have been reminded this year of the anticipation of the Messiah.  I remember expecting each of our children and the exciting months before they were born.  My anticipation, as great as it was, pales in comparison with that of God’s people, waiting on a Messiah.  For thousands of years, they had glimpses of what he would be like, how he would come, what he would do, but after hundreds of years of waiting,  I know I would have had my doubts.  Will he ever come?  Did he come and I missed it?  I would have to choose to believe God hadn’t forgotten us.  Instead of just 9 months of anticipation,  the world waited hundreds of years for the one whom the angel said, “would save the people from their sins.”  (Matthew 1:21) Though Jesus entered quietly and humbly, the anticipation was over!  The light of the world broke through the darkness and became one of us.  Emmanuel, God with us.  

As we enter the Christmas season,  it is a time to be thankful for God coming to us in Jesus at his birth, and also a time to be thankful for God coming to us though Jesus personally. We are each born in darkness, in sin, and the Light bursts into our lives individually to push out the darkness and give us eternity. What does that mean for us at Christmas? 

When the magi came seeking the new king, as soon as they found him, they fell down and worshipped him and offered him gifts. (Matthew 2:1-12) Imagine the long journey they took to get there.  The entire way talking about what they might find, what it would be like, what they would say when they got there, and asking “are we there yet?”  The anticipation building all the while.  I must admit I don’t often approach Jesus that way-thinking about what I will say to him, thinking about what he is like, excited to talk to him.  Unlike the magi, I don’t even have to travel far.  He is with me every moment of every day.  I want to have the same anticipation about meeting him as they did.

When we encounter the King, our first reaction should be to fall down and worship him.  What will worship look like for you this Christmas?  What will you give Jesus in an act of worship this year?  

2.  Connect with others

I am a list maker and checker.  If I am not careful, I will schedule out and “to-do list” the entire Christmas season.  I will be around people, but not actually connecting. What’s the difference?  Connecting involves non obligatory time.  Meeting people because you want to, not because you feel like you have to.  Being intentional with people that God points out to you.  

Hospitality doesn’t mean perfect Christmas dishes and recipes.   Hospitality is welcoming someone in to your world with the intent of showing the love of Jesus to them.  This could look like a thousand different things…

-sharing a favorite recipe or treat with a neighbor or friend (see how this happened at the bottom of this post)

-inviting a small group of ladies over for coffee and dessert 

-inviting a family or person over that God continues to point out to you

 -taking a treat or gift to someone that cannot give anything back in return

-ask your family what they would like to do to serve someone else, and do it

-use your past misery as your ministry- if you are cancer survivor, find a way to minister to cancer survivors, if you have victory over addiction,  reach out to someone struggling, if you have experienced grief, seek out someone who is grieving. 

Christmas could be your time to start reaching.

In the hurry of the season, guard your time with your precious family.  Stay connected with those closest to you.  So many things pull and try to rob that time.  Not every invitation has to be a “yes”, not every activity has to be attended by you.  Take time for traditions, say “yes” to fun, and keep joy at the center of your home.  

Merry Christmas friends!  Christa

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Earlier I mentioned taking a treat to a friend.  My friend,  Esta, did this for me and it meant so much.  She texted and wanted to bring down her favorite Christmas treat just to say she was thankful for us.  Not only did her thoughtfulness encourage me, the treat was incredible!!  She brought this cranberry appetizer that I have nicknamed, “cranberry salsa”, that I am now crazy about as well.  It is this sweet and spicy cranberry salsa/relish that you put over cream cheese and serve with crackers.  Just trust me…. it is SO good!  I now share her enthusiasm about it!  I’ll never forget where I got this recipe and why- because my sweet friend thought of me and wanted to share her favorite thing with me.  Pass it along.  😉