Christmas Throughout the Year

“Everyday can be like a holiday.” Just one of Starbucks seasonal cup slogans, I like it with a hardy “Yes, yes it can” as I sip my Peppermint Mocha.  Often we consider the season of Christmas to be the day after Thanksgiving and lasting until New Year’s Eve, after that, the tree is taken down and the lawn reindeer stored in the garage rafters.  Christmas becomes a fleeting memory.  YET, the message of Christmas CAN be seen, felt and shared throughout the year.

I find it fascinating that the angel when appearing to the shepherds (Luke 2) addresses their fear first, taking the time to say something before they bolt and miss the message, the story would not be the same if they all took off running (in different directions). After the fear factor addressed, the presentation of ‘Good News’ given, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (v11-12) then the choir sings of God’s glory and peace now on earth and the service was over. I wonder… if our pastors today approached the pulpit and opened their sermons with ‘FEAR NOT’ would we pay just a tad bit more attention. (HA!)

Life is busy, our days full of routine, obstacles, and stress. However, the Christmas promise and message is clear and continues to roll forward.  What if (humor me) JESUS came to us, saying, “Don’t be afraid, today, I Christ the Lord, YOUR Savior is here, and here’s My sign…now as the shepherds did … come and see Me.” Sign in the Greek is defined as the power and presence of God manifested, noting significance.  Sometimes the significance is personal.

Do we look for God to manifest Himself before us, around us and ahead of us each day? Have we considered His orchestration of our life so we would take pause and cause us to look and …see Him? It may not be a Celestial choir gathering above the Metro area, but it may be a gentle whisper – See Him. Or a loving note from a friend – See Him.  Or maybe that very personal hope and prayer you’ve mentioned is indeed answered – See Him.

This year, may we take the Christmas message beyond the borders of the calendar pages – the Good News, God with us!  May we see and yield to divine manifestation.  Oh God, open our eyes, our ears that we too would do as the shepherds did, make a determined adventure to see You and then as they did, we go and tell others! (Luke 2:17)

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrew 10:24)