Anticipating Christmas

As I write this, Christmas is two weeks away. Are you excited? If not, or even if you are, is some other emotion getting the marquee treatment in your soul? Anxiety? Sadness? Something else? This time of year has a way of bringing out a lot of deep emotions in people. Unfortunately, not all of them good.

For me, I remember my grandmother passing away just a few days before Christmas. While it was over 30 years ago, her passing will always be linked with the final decline of the health of my Mom – her daughter – in her battle with cancer. Her battle ended less than 2 months later. I’m reminded of this even more, as I will be attending two funerals this weekend. Two dear friends whose families will forever also associate the Christmas season with the loss of their dear wife, daughter, sister, Mom, and Grammie.

Now, contrary to what you’re thinking, this is not meant to be a depressing or solemn post – quite the contrary! The first Christmas – Jesus Christ’s birthday – was arguably the most highly anticipated event in history. The prophecies, allusions to and hints of His arrival go all the way back to the Garden of Eden! While Christmas may bring back memories good and bad, it really does represent nothing but goodness. With Jesus’ birth, our salvation became possible. If this isn’t celebration worthy, I don’t know what is!

Now, let me ask you that first question, “Are you excited?” a little differently.

What are you waiting for?

So much is asked in those five words. I’m getting at two questions specifically… First, what does Christmas Day represent to you? Are you aware of what Christmas is really all about? If you’re reading this post – on a Christian oriented blog – I suspect you are, so I’m not trying to insult you. However, what I am asking is have you thought about it much yet this year? Have you made it personal? Have you spent any time considering that God had you in mind when he crafted – and enacted – this plan to send His son to earth in human form so that He could eventually be sacrificed for your sins, so that you could spend eternity with Him? That God would do this because the relationship He desires with you is that great and that meaningful to Him? If you haven’t, now is a great time to do so.

Second, as I alluded to earlier, I’ve had some very stark reminders lately of how brief and fleeting this life can be. So, the other question I want to ask is, what are those things that you have been putting off? Which are those relationships that you’ve been meaning to foster, but have instead been neglecting? What dream has God given you that you have put on the back burner for “someday”? Let me light a little fire on that burner – “someday” isn’t always guaranteed. For that matter, neither is tomorrow.

This is a tremendous time of year to change patterns, paths and priorities. There is probably no easier time to pick up your phone and call and text someone that may need to hear from you. With the Christmas season comes an expectation of sentimentality… and grace… and hope. Take advantage of that, set your pride aside and reach out to that person that God may have put on your heart.

One of the other great things about this season, is the new year starting one week after Christmas. A clean slate. A fresh start. Maybe this year your resolutions should be more focused on relationships and discerning God’s will concerning your purpose and dreams. (Maybe this might help you keep the resolution for more than two weeks!)

For now, as we look forward to Christmas coming, I would encourage you to not miss a moment. As you anticipate the arrival of Christmas, don’t get so caught up with the hustle and bustle, the commercialism and the parties to forget why we’re celebrating.

So, let me nudge you… Make that call, send that text, drop by that home…

Someone is waiting to hear from you.

Don’t wait until the opportunity to do so is gone.