To Be a Shining Example of a Holy Family

My husband and I were given this beloved Holy Family figurine on the occasion of our 35th wedding anniversary when we resaid our wedding vows. It is one of my dearest treasures and though it’s displayed right now with my poinsettia floral piece, you’d find it displayed somewhere in my home year-round. It reminds me of Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus -- our original “Holy Family” and how much I’ve always desired that my family was a shining example of a holy family too. The second outdoor Holy Family was a gift from my daughter and her "holy" family.

On this first Sunday after Christmas, while we are still immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the celebration of our Lord’s coming to this earth to be one of us, we celebrate His Holy Family. We ask God, Who gave us the shining example of the Holy Family, to help us imitate Jesus, Mary and Joseph in practicing the beauty of family life -- in strength, in faith and in love.

In the family life of Mary and Joseph, God is truly at the center — Jesus is at the center. Their lives breathed with faith -- the faith that gave them the will and determination to face difficult challenges, like the difficult ordeal of the flight into Egypt that we see in Matthew 2. I love Joseph as such a loving and devoted husband and father to Jesus. What a shining example he is for fathers today!

We are called to be families of faith with God at the center of our lives. I can vouch that because of our faith we have been able to endure challenges and difficult ordeals, too! And, I’m sure you can say the same thing. This faith is evident when a family prays together regularly and when it is not just an obligation, but a joy, to be fully devoted followers of God and His Word.

Another essential lesson we can learn from the Holy Family is love. We think about their bonds of love -- the love of Mary and Joseph for each other and for their son, as well as Jesus’ love for His parents. This loving harmony is a model for every family. I’d like you to think my family was the picture of the "Holy Family". We strive to be, but sometimes we disagree about something so incidental and sometimes we say something that we really didn’t mean it to cause pain, but it did. But, as this third photo shows – this is how we play – we forgive, love, share, laugh, listen, help, respect and we PRAY a lot.

Today, I encourage us all to strive for being the shining lights of holy families like the Holy Family of Nazareth -- the true model of a Christian home, an icon of faith and love. And may we pray for those families who are in difficulty, including broken families and so many refugee families in the world today. Let us turn with trust to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in whom we contemplate the beauty of faith and love -- God’s plan for every family!

Letting Our Christmas Joy Be About the Joy-Giver

Here we are – smack dab in the middle of Christmas time – only 13 more days until the presents are all unwrapped, we’re eating our Christmas breakfast and some of us are singing “Happy Birthday, Jesus”!

When I was a very young child, I was taught, like many children, that Christmas Eve was special because Santa was coming and would leave me my heart's desire. I was told to fall asleep quickly so he would come. On Christmas morning, I bounded out of bed to see what Santa brought me. I loved Santa. After all, he loved me whether I was bad or good AND he left me presents. The most important part of Christmas was Santa and the presents. So, bring on jolly old Santa, adorned in red and white, and, oh, so joyous! I can understand how that notion is what is most attractive to the world. Shiny objects. Christmas trees. Twinkling lights. Reindeer. Mistletoe. Jingle bells.

Then there is the story of baby Jesus. I loved being in the kids' Christmas program at church and singing Christmas songs. My parents were adamant I knew that baby Jesus is the Savior of the world. But honestly, from a child’s perspective, everything about the Christmas story seemed so dingy, gray, brown, and so sad. Little baby Jesus was born in a smelly stable because there was no room at the inn. We sang: “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed” So, where’s the joy in that, God? Then, Herod ordered babies killed. Mary and Joseph fled with Jesus to Egypt for protection. How joyous is that? God knew everything but still let that happen. So, children and adults who don’t know the true meaning of Christmas, find their joy partying it up with the jolly old soul, Santa Claus, and all the other tinsel and glittery attractions of Christmas.

Perhaps that's why the world has trouble with the Christmas Story – because it seems to stop at the smelly stable. People don’t grasp that it was EVERYTHING. Now, that I’m older and wiser and have grown in intimacy with Jesus (now, my go-to for breath and life and peace and joy), I can see clearly where the bright lights should shine. The Santa, though he is a jolly old soul, is simply a temporary joy. Joy isn’t found in temporary things – nor in a season. The joy that brings total fulfillment and satisfaction is only found in the ONE Who came down from heaven’s glories to become a baby (like you and me). He Who was born in that smelly stable is He Who will never leave us or forsake us. Joy, real joy, everlasting joy! It’s time we put the main emphasis on God and thank Him for His indescribable gift. True joy isn't found in anything or anyone but Him.

As Christmas approaches, let's ask the Lord to order our steps to make the MAIN thing -- the Jesus King. May we be on purpose in explaining the Christmas story to our children so they know the true JOY of Christmas is only found in Jesus. Let's prioritize taking time for Him first, then step by step, do what brings Him joy each day – being a blessing to others, filling our hearts and homes with His presence and shining our lights on THE LIGHT of the world.

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

It’s Baby Jesus AND Santa Time!

The competition is real! Baby Jesus versus Santa! I’ll admit it. I cringe a little when Jesus and Santa get the same “top billing”. THE One is very real and the other is make-believe and THAT one’s promises are based on what someone delivers or not. I was amused when at my church a couple of weeks ago, St. Nick (the original “Santa”) was in the Parish Hall for those sweet, traditional “St. Nick aka Santa” photo opportunities. Then, at church in Austin, Santa showed up for photos, too. I get it. It’s a subtle way for families to hear the good news of Jesus’ birth and give them photo opportunities. Lately, good old St. Nick aka Santa, in all his red and white glory, has been seen at churches, malls, and holiday parties. Man! Does Santa ever get around!!!

We sure boost the support of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to our children. They learn that a mysterious guy in a red and white suit can see them when they’re sleeping and awake. He even sees them when they’re good and bad, so we reinforce that they’d better be good….for goodness sake. We take them to see Santa and encourage them to tell him what they want for Christmas. And, if that’s not enough…..we tell them that he’s coming down the chimney and he’ll show up with their wishes – so they must be sure to leave cookies for him because he’ll be very hungry as he flies in a reindeer-driven sleigh, delivering his gifts to children all over the world. And, to further spoofing them, many folks will go to their rooftops and make stomping sounds, while ringing sleigh bells. Doesn't that make your brain go TILT, even just a little bit?

I encouraged honesty in my children from the get-go, not giving a second thought to the possibility of dishonesty about Santa. Oh, how I wish I had given them the true story of a mythical Santa who was clearly founded in St. Nicholas who honored Jesus Christ with his life and his possessions. St. Nicholas (St. Nick) gave freely of his riches to benefit those who were less fortunate than himself. "Giving” is clearly one of Christianity's guiding principles in Scripture -- to care for the poor. Now, being much wiser and thriving on honesty and truth, I look back and think “What were we thinking?” I desire to be honest in all my ways, so that those who follow my lead, are led closer to THE LIGHT than are being led astray. Truth is TRUTH – NOT stretching the truth, or “It’s so cute to see those little wide eyes of wonder."

Some may think this is a crotchety ole' gal’s reality, but, in reality, it’s the closer I get to the Baby in the Manger Who became my Savior, the more I want to be like Him, full of grace and TRUTH. “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only Son, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

My little “Holy Family” and sign that says “Born this day, a Savior Who is Christ the Lord” seems like a meager attempt to celebrate THE ONE who Christmas is really all about. Hopefully, someone will see it and their attention will be drawn to think about the real Reason for the Season, but no question It seems lost amidst the gigantic Santa inflatables around the neighborhoods.

“Mommy, is there really a Santa Claus?” is a question that families ponder each year. I pray you seek God’s wisdom on how best to explain to them in “grace and truth”. 1 John 3:18 "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in TRUTH." And if TRUTH is told – may we give our families a True Story of love, peace, hope, joy, and compassion – the TRUE Christmas Story. What is easier to believe – Santa Claus or that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to earth as a baby, to a lovely couple and the shepherds and wise men came to see him and when they saw him, they worshiped him because he was the newborn King who would set them free - WHO SET US FREE? Christmas IS NOT a holiday. It is a HOLY DAY! May we honor the HOLY One Who really did come to give us the greatest gift -- Himself.

Every Place We Live Can Be Bethlehem

 My post today was inspired by a dear friend and wonderful encourager, Carolyn Cline Boyle. She is radiant, joy-filled and exudes the love of Christ every time I see her. She is also one of my followers on Facebook. Her comments after my post, yesterday, were especially meaningful to me. My post was entitled "Mary, Did You Know?" This was Carolyn's comment to that post:

"Every morning your words bring me back to the meaning of this beautiful season. Life is moving so quickly, the world is so full of conflict and struggle and I need to realign my reason for being, when all this is swirling around. We have a manger scene in almost every room and I am going to take a deep breath and take time at each one with a special prayer each day. I am so blessed to have this world of faith “cocooning” me and I am so blessed to read your words, dear Donna!"

I shared those words with you not to impress you, but to impress upon you what I heard. Carolyn said she was going to take a deep breath at her manger scenes and offer a special prayer. I, too, have many nativity/manger scenes that I strategically place in my living, dining and kitchen area, but I moved them about my home to the bedrooms, office and even my bathrooms after I read her comments. I want my own journey to Bethlehem and the manger to inspire me and my visitors in every room.

When my now 16-year old granddaughter, was about 4 years old, she loved playing with all the characters in my larger nativity set. One day she started to play and baby Jesus was missing. She went into panic mode "Baby Jesus is gone. Where is Baby Jesus?" she cried. We later realized her big brother (age 5 years old at the time) had hidden baby Jesus from her. It was finally a "Silent Night, Holy Night" when Jesus was returned to His manger.

The Christmas Story is much more than a nativity set. It is a picture of how close Christ will come to us. The first stop on His itinerary was Mary's womb. Christ grew in Mary until He came out. And, Jesus gives us the same offer. "If you'll let Me, I'll move into you." He is IN us and I pray He will come out in our speech, in our actions, in our decisions. Then, not just in the manger scenes, but Bethlehem will be in every place we live, and every day we live will be a Christmas when you and I, like Mary, will deliver Christ to our world.

"Christ in YOU, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Let every heart prepare Him room.