Do you feel it yet… the busy rush of the Christmas season?
Even among the Advent Wreaths and Special Services, we can still come to the end of the month and
feel like we completely missed the whole purpose of our celebration.
Our world often seems to rush past the extraordinary in pursuit of the ordinary. That’s never more evident than during the Christmas Season. The message of Christ’s birth is not merely a historical event but a living, transformative truth that continues to shape the world and our very lives today.
The Bible reminds us in Matthew 1:23, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).” This prophecy, fulfilled in Bethlehem, is the epitome of the extraordinary becoming intimately intertwined with the ordinary. People missed its extraordinary significance then and we can continue to miss it today as we settle for ordinary holiday pursuits.
Probably most of you have heard of the K.I.S.S. Method that encourages us to Keep it Simple. But I want
to encourage you this Christmas to Keep It SPECIAL and not miss the amazing abundant life found in the
Savior’s birth we celebrate.
- Do an Advent devotional each week with your family or friends.
- Find a place to serve others in Jesus’ name.
- Attend a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.
- Establish a Christ-centered Christmas tradition that brings the focus back to its true meaning. One thing we do is start Christmas morning with a yummy birthday cake and candles for Jesus.
- Invite someone who will be alone on Christmas to come to your home and enjoy a special meal. Jesus loved inviting the lonely to fellowship with him over dinner.
I hope these ideas ignite even more thoughts on how you can make this Christmas extraordinary. After all, doesn’t the birth of the Savior of the World deserve it? And don’t you find the greatest joy when you
rest in the fact that you’re completely loved, forgiven, and embraced by God through the saving work of
Christ the Messiah?
Don’t Rush Past the Extraordinary in Pursuit of the Ordinary. Merry Christmas!