Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,
and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
Christmas comes earlier every year. This year we noticed our seasonal snack cakes were traded out before the end of October, completing bypassing the fall holidays. I hear lots of people complain about this fact with lots of mention of commercialism and materialism.
I choose to view Christmas' early arrival through another lens. Might it be because it is the second most significant event in all human history? Doesn't something of this magnitude deserve as much air time as possible?
Could the crowds at the store remind us of the significance we worship?
Should the endless decorations nudge us to wrap our lives up in Him?
Do the packages and bows encourage me to give Him the very biggest of my gifts?
I want Christmas to come early and often to my heart. I want to celebrate the One who came as a baby and lived every one of His 12000 days with one goal in mind - to spread His arms wide with the miracle of redemption.
How would your November look different if you let Jesus come early to your heart this year?
Hi Shannon, I wish we could forego much of the commercialism and just embrace the religious significance, instead of vice versa which the ACLU would like to see. Not happening in my life, I can tell you that! Also, I'd love to know your thoughts, if any, on 12/21/12, the end of the Mayan calendar. xo
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
DeleteWhat a great question you raise. I'm definitely not an expert on the subject but one thing I know for certain - God is in complete control and His timing is perfect. From what I understand of prophecy, the requirements for the "end of days" have not yet been fulfilled. Perhaps God is using that date as a way to gather people to His heart.
This is my favorite time of year. (Easter too). I love celebrating Jesus with my family.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a precious family you have!
DeleteThank you for that excellent reminder! I love Christmas and am always amazed by the way an entire community can transform in the attitude of anticipation. I think it's a testament to the hunger we have in us as people for the real deal and Christmas reminds us it's within our grasp.
ReplyDeleteLove this "it's a testament to the hunger we have in us"!
DeleteI think if we all let Jesus come early to our heart this year, we alle changes ... Let us do that! Love your message.
ReplyDeleteFor sure!
DeleteI do believe that more often than not, Christmas has become more of a material thing than a spiritual celebration. Partly why my husband is somewhat hesitant to have 'Santa' in our lives for Jacob when he reaches the age where he understands Christmas. We want to be able to celebrate what Christmas is about and not be excited for it because of the gifts.
ReplyDeleteUs too. We start off the very first of our day as a birthday party for Jesus!
DeleteI like the reason for the season but I tire of commercialism pretty fast
ReplyDeleteI hope it is better this year
I love your message about bringing Jesus into our lives early, and will try to remember that when I see all of the Christmas decorations up before December. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAwww Shannon, what a wonderful way to think about how early the "Christmas" season starts. Yes Jesus does deserves the airtime. Wonderful message!
ReplyDeleteI only wish it could hold off till after Thanksgiving. I think having some real time to stop and just be Thankful for what you have and the people in your lives is very important. We like to make a birthday cake for Christmas and we use Santa as an example of how God put people on this Earth to do good for others and why he was a good example of giving to others (that's when they believed in him).
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! Most people complain about the early decorations and such. I love how you have turned it around to embrace the holiday for what it truly is about. Very nice post :)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your optimistic view. Christmas and Easter can never come too early for me. I get so excited when I see the stores fill up with reminders of these sacred days. I know some folks worry that Thanksgiving gets pushed aside, but not in my home. Thanksgiving and Christmas just seem to blend together for a blessed 2 months of love and family.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving weekend sweet friend!