Now is the time to let the celebration begin! While stores have been sporting Christmas decorations since before Halloween, December 1 officially gives me permission to decorate my home and focus on the true meaning of this important holiday.
In the book God Is in the Manger (©2012 by Westminster John Knox Press), Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains the importance of waiting. I find it interesting that Bonhoeffer wrote this from a prison cell in 1943:
“Waiting is an art that our impatient age has forgotten. It wants to break open the ripe fruit when it has hardly finished planting the shoot . . . For the greatest, most profound, tenderest things in the world, we must wait. It happens not here in a storm but according to the divine laws of sprouting, growing, and becoming.”
“A green Shoot will sprout from Jesse’s stump, from his roots a budding Branch.”—Isaiah 11:1
Yes! Let’s not “get the cart before the horse,” as my father would say. Instead, let’s slow down and savor the precious seconds of Advent. Let’s look for God in that manger.
In her book Christmas Is Coming (©2020 by B&H Publishing Group), Tama Fortner reminds us of the gift worth waiting for—the greatest gift of all.
“It didn’t come in a box.
It wasn’t tied with a bow.
This gift came from God, and He planned it long, long ago.”
From the beginning of time, God knew. The prophets knew. The angels knew. Mary and Elizabeth knew. Joseph and the shepherds and the angels and the wisemen knew. Even the star knew that God had sent this wonderful gift to us all.
“A Baby and a Star,” an entry from The Compassion Storybook Bible by Crystal Bowman and Sue Schlesman (©2024 by End Game Press), also explains how God planned for the Savior to be born.
This entry, based upon the first and second chapters of Luke, focuses on the purpose of that plan.
“That night, God placed a special star in the sky to let the whole world know He sent His Son to earth. Jesus is God’s plan to save the world from sin and show everyone how much He loves us.”
“God loves us so much that He sent
His Son Jesus to earth.”
This December, as you reflect upon characters in the nativity scenes around your home or in your church, think about their knowledge of this night. Think about their wonder. Imagine their anticipation. Savor their sentiments.
As I have mentioned in previous December blogs, hearing the words of the second chapter of Luke always reminds me of my father’s tradition of reading this passage aloud on Christmas Eve night. I can relate to Father Tim as he reflects upon his own childhood in Jan Karon’s book Shepherd’s Abiding:
“When as a child he heard the passages from Luke read aloud, he had also, on two separate occasions, heard the proclamation delivered by a multitude of voices. Though Scripture said nothing about the proclamation being sung, he was convinced otherwise—in heart as well as his mind, and the sound of the great chorale had been beautiful beyond all imagining.”
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
While we live in a time of instant everything, let’s all remember to stop and appreciate our blessings. Think about the patience of those prophets!
This season it is my hope that you focus more on the coming of Christ than on the Santas and the snowmen. Slow down. Take the time to read and savor the second chapter of Luke. Read it aloud with your family. I pray you will also know the coming of Christmas in your heart as well as in your mind, and may you be blessed beyond measure by the miracle of Christ’s birth.
Side note: The Compassion Storybook Bible would be a wonderful addition to your child’s stocking this year. It is a beautiful little book containing fifty-two important Bible stories, including the Christmas story mentioned above. Each story contains a simplified version of important Biblical events from creation to the second coming. Sharing these stories each week can help children understand the importance of focusing on Biblical heroes rather than on worldly icons. As a retired English teacher, I love the “Talk About It” section at the end of each entry. This section serves as a great opportunity for readers and children to discuss the story’s main idea and (perhaps unknowingly) prepare for school assessments, etc. Understanding the main idea of a passage is always important; and most importantly, these discussions can help your child draw closer to God.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”—Charles Dickens
“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.”—Laura Ingalls Wilder
“The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.”—Henry David Thoreau
Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:14
It never ceases to amaze me how you blog seems to reflect the times we live in particular the profound thoughts about our Christmas holiday. Your research to find the right Bible verses to accompany your writings and the personal stories make the blog a true pleasure to read and contemplate.i for one enjoy and look forward to each months blog as it allows me to focus on things that are important. Keep up the good work and know your efforts are much appreciated.
Thank you, Pete! You are a treasured friend!
Thank you, Pete! You are a treasured friend!