How long has it been since you sat down and read both Gospel accounts of Jesus’s birth?
If you’re like me, you can sing all the verses of every traditional Christmas carol.
But when was the last time you really listened to the words?
Sensory overload during the Christmas season is real. It steals our joy and dims the brightness of the celebration—no matter how many layers of twinkly lights we buy.
Sensory overload during the Christmas season is real. It steals our joy and dims the brightness of the celebration—no matter how many layers of twinkly lights we buy. Give yourself time to fall in love with the story again.
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This December, I’m giving myself permission to read less and enjoy it more. My Advent Resource round-up post went out to the world the first week of November. Now it’s time for me to settle into the multiple perspectives of Matthew and Luke.
I’m free to rejoice in the hope of Romans 8:32 anchored in a giving God who “did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all.” I want to soak in Paul’s joyful conclusion: “How will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
What if we read Titus 2:11 as if it were Jesus’s birth announcement or a Christmas card?
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…”
A cup of Christmas tea is the perfect accompaniment to a deep pondering over exactly how I should respond to so great a gift. (See Titus 2:11-15)
Fall in Love with the Christmas Story
Andrew Peterson put his finger on the pulse of what’s falling short in our holiday celebrations:
If you want people to know the truth, tell them the truth.
If you want people to love the truth, tell them a story.”
Whether you call it Advent or “the holiday season,” give yourself time this December to fall in love with the Christmas story all over again: angels everywhere and a fairly awkward set of circumstances; prophecy fulfilled and shepherds summoned; wealthy visitors and a mad king’s paranoid plotting.
Surround yourself with real Christmas music and sit with your Bible open to the page between the Testaments. Imagine your way into the four hundred years of silence and then read about the faithful ones who believed: Anna, Simeon, Elisabeth, Zechariah—all honor graduates of the school of waiting who lived to see the promise kept.
While it’s true that there’s enough deep theology around the Incarnation to keep us well-occupied and in awe for the rest of our lives, let’s not forget that God chose to reveal his plan of salvation in story form. Best of all, he invites you and me to be actual participants, players in the drama of “God and sinners reconciled,” recipients of the “light and life to all he brings.”
What are your plans for entering anew into the story of Jesus’s birth?
“O, come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!”
Holding You in the Light,
Whether you call it Advent or “the holiday season,” take time to fall in love with the Christmas story: angels everywhere, a fairly awkward set of circumstances, shepherds summoned, wealthy visitors, a mad king’s paranoid plotting.
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Is Scripture Informing Your Celebration of Advent?
For your Advent celebration, I’ve created on the YouVersion app a four-part series featuring Isaiah’s prophecy of a coming Messiah. Together, we remember that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor with Supernatural Wisdom. He is our Mighty God, unlimited in His Ability to do what He wills. He is the compassionate Everlasting Father, the Giver of good gifts, and Jesus is the Fountain of deep well-being, our Prince of Peace. You can access the Advent plan HERE or visit my profile page for free access to all my reading plans!
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Living Our Days 
When my kids were young and had multiple school and church activities in December, the month was a stressful whirl of getting things done. I’m glad we have a slower pace now–though it can still be busy. Sometimes I’ve read the gospel accounts in December, or an advent devotional. I just started Winter Fire with G. K. Chesterton.
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Gotta check out that Chesterton book!!!!!
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Michele, now I’m thinking of the way the kids in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” responded when they heard the biblical Christmas story for the first time. We take it all so for granted, but it truly is amazing and remarkable good news (not to mention somewhat strange for the uninitiated).
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I need to watch that movie! I just gave copies of the book to my oldest sons who have kids. What a great plot!
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We can get so busy around this time of year that we forget the beautiful and miraculous simplicity of the true story. Love the idea of focusing on what the Scripture says rather than getting distracted by the things we “think” happened because it’s been in the storybooks.
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I’ve been reading, too, about all the hullabaloo surrounding the “authentic” Christian celebration of Christmas, when it’s been a mongrel holiday since its inception during the Roman Empire. It’s so important to give everyone grace.
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Thanks for this invitation to sit with both Matthew and Luke in the days ahead. The timing on your post is straight from His hands. Thank you, friend.
Advent blessings to you. May He create pockets of quiet for us to recharge in.
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I am really looking forward to putting those pockets to good use! Thank you for your encouraging text.
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