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

God Showed Up

As we get closer and closer to Christmas Eve, I think about the most remarkable moment when God showed up on this earth as a precious, perfect little baby boy -- who just "laid in a manger". Hmm. I don't think I ever saw him crying and Mary needing to hold him to soothe him. How perfect that little man was.

That "picture" is vivid for us -- after all, we've witnessed it in movies, nativity sets, dramatic productions and heard detailed stories and songs about the "Sweet little Jesus boy. They made you be born in a manger. Sweet little holy child. We didn't know who you were." That cold, dark night is conveyed as sweet and mild with angels looking down and the earth standing still to welcome the King. But in reality, Mary, nine months pregnant and Joseph had toiled to make their way for miles and miles for many days to arrive at the lowliest place possible – the place where the animals bedded down and were fed. Today, we are advised to stay close to home -- "no traveling after 7 months -- even in an airplane or car".

Can you imagine that Joseph – he who was not even the birth father of this baby -- more than likely, was the mid-wife for Mary? Can you imagine the weight on his shoulders? Can you imagine the thoughts of Mary – from the announcement by the angel that she was favored and would give birth to the Son of God, would lead to this place and in these circumstances? Mary was a woman who experienced the pains of birth. There were no epidurals back then -- no monitors that kept track of the baby's heartbeat. There were no incubators in that cave. The Son of God wasn’t placed in a sterile, comfortable cradle. He was placed in the animals' feed trough. And, to Mary, her newborn baby probably looked like anything but a king. His face was probably prunish and red just like every other newborn baby. His cry was as shrill and helpless as our newborn babies are. And He was absolutely dependent upon Mary for his well-being. Can you imagine the weight of being responsible for raising a king – never mind, the Son of God?

That night, as extraordinary as it was with shepherds being startled and amazed by the host of angels that announced a king was born, it was still an ordinary birth. And for the next thirty-three years Jesus would feel everything you and I have ever felt. Weak, weary, hungry, thirsty, and broken-hearted. His feelings got hurt. His back and feet ached from the uneven and rocky roads he would travel. He suffered heat exhaustion in those dry, desert places. He felt alone when his so-called friends abandoned Him. He was misunderstood and his best intentions were ridiculed. He eventually died a death of thieves and murderers with very few of His followers standing by Him.

To think of Jesus in such a light seems almost irreverent. There’s something about keeping Him divine that keeps Him distant and predictable. BUT DON"T DO IT! For heaven’s sake, DON'T! It was a Master Plan for Him to be human so that you and I have someone who gets us -- who gets our needs -- who understands our pains -- who SHOWS UP for us when we need Him most. Let Him be as human as He intended to be. Let His human example of loving in spite of pain, refusing to sin in spite of temptation, forgiving in spite of rejection -- be our example to others, too. Let Him into the mire and muck of our world. That's how He showed up and that's how He "finished up". Only if we let Him in -- can He pull us out! Let Him be God with us for in letting Him be God with us -- we are never alone and never without a Savior. Let Him SHOW UP in you and your world today!.

Back to School Routines

When my community was buying school supplies for children in need, I joined in with them -- buying spiral notebooks, crayons, binders, pencils, pens, notebook paper, glue, and other school supplies. It brought back memories of buying school supplies for my own two kiddos -- backpacks, lunch kits, and all the essentials from the school’s list of supplies. Please indulge me once again, with one of my favorite photos of a new school year for them when we lived at Lake Keystone, Oklahoma. Actually, it was Staci’s first year of school

Here we are with the lazy days of summer almost over. The Fall school routine is well underway for my Frisco grandchildren and next week, the Austin two will begin their routines. Soon they’ll all be in the swing of things with their new courses and loads of homework.

Here’s the best advice I can offer from a “Nana’s” point of view. We can either worry about what this school year holds or we can follow the lead of Mary and Joseph in the Gospel of Luke 2. Four areas are mentioned that Jesus grew in as a young boy: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with man (people).” Our Lord grew wiser each year. He physically grew. His relationship with His Heavenly Father continually strengthened. Jesus even gained favor with people who saw Him day to day.

The verse that precedes Jesus growth in Luke 2:51 is this one: “His mother kept all these things in her heart.” When Mary was mothering Jesus, she tucked thoughts (some Bible translations say she “treasured” them) of her son safely in her heart. In none of those descriptions do we see Mary fretting, worried and anxious. She pondered about her son and his growth, but she didn’t allow her mama heart to ever become rattled.

I’m so pleased that my kids follow Joseph and Mary’s lead by instructing and instilling in their kids those things that will increase them in wisdom and favor. Early yesterday morning, I went over to their home for morning devotion (one of their “must-do’s” before heading out to school). They take 30 minutes to an hour each morning to pour God’s word into their hearts. Words that talk about honor, integrity, doing the right things, praying, trusting God, being a friend, etc.

I can hear some of you saying “We don’t have that much time in the mornings!” Then take 5 minutes to speak affirmation, God’s love and “I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength” motivation into them, and then pray with them for wisdom and favor. School mornings can be quite hectic but there is nothing more important than starting each day with putting God first. When He gets first place, then He promises to make their paths straight. “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.

It’s a new season at the Wallace’s as Payton is driving now, so he and Alexia headed out the door for school on their own. That’s enough reason to have a little extra anxiety. But, no matter whether it’s their first year of school or, in Payton’s case, his Senior year of school, we can turn all our anxieties that we have for our children into treasured prayers for their safety and know they are being held fast by our loving Father — the One who knows our hearts and loves our children even more than we do.

When we turn our concerns into prayers, we create space in our hearts to treasure and ponder like Mary did. During those times when God is teaching our kids – whether it’s in arithmetic or obedience or establishing friendships, let’s realize that we parents and grandparents are also learning beautiful lessons of trusting and treasuring – completely confident that God is always in control and FATHER KNOWS BEST for our children AND us!

I Believe in Miracles

Seriously??? I have to smile when I think about this scenario: "....an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.'" - Matthew 1:20.   Just imagine your high school sweetheart, whom you love and believe is a good person because she doesn't believe in sex before marriage, saying, "I'm pregnant, but don't be mad, because I'm still a virgin."   But, this scenario really happened 2,000 years ago. In fact, the guy was named Joseph and his pregnant girl friend was Mary. She told him God caused her to become pregnant.   Like Joseph, any rational person would have thought,  "Preposterous!!   The definition of "preposterous" is:  completely contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd; senseless; utterly foolish.   At first, Joseph didn't believe Mary, and thought about breaking up with her. But, then the angel, Gabriel, showed up to visit him, like he had with Mary, and told him Mary was telling the truth.  Joseph BELIEVED, and stayed with her, believing the Lord in faith.

It was an incredible story then, and for the rational, secular, scientific mind of the twenty-first century, it is still an incredible story. But it's the story of Christmas -- the story of Jesus' birth.   The BIG question is:  Do we believe?   Whether it is Jesus' birth or His resurrection, we MUST believe it fully to experience the wonder of Christmas and the real reason for this season. That's what believing in miracles is all about, too!  Yes, it's a MIRACLE when someone who was diagnosed TERMINAL, is healed.  It's a MIRACLE when a marriage is given up on, yet restoration takes place.   It's a MIRACLE when after a bankruptcy, an innovative idea comes and prosperity and success materializes.   I promise you BELIEVING is RECEIVING!   Like Joseph and Mary, I do BELIEVE MIRACLES happen everyday.  I AM a MIRACLE -- AMAZING GRACE!  And that belief is what brings me so much peace, joy and hope.   And because I believe, EVERYDAY is THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!