“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
Every time I hear Andy Williams sing that song I get more and more in the Christmas spirit.
It is wonderful! Twinkling lights, family traditions, chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate, and wonderful memories made year after year. But as wonderful as it all is, this season can also bring a flurry of busyness that makes our hearts feel more frazzled than festive. We rush, we plan, we host, we wrap, we check lists twice…and sometimes, without meaning to, we lose sight of the very One who makes this season wonderful in the first place.
In the middle of the lights, there is Light.
In the middle of the noise, there is a still, small voice.
In the middle of Christmas, there is Christ.
Luke 2:10–11 gives us heaven’s announcement of the very first Christmas:
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today…a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’”
Great joy.
For all people.
Born to you.
That’s why it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Not because the calendar says so, not because the decorations sparkle, and not because of the amazing desserts. It is because Hope Himself came down to us. (I love that song… “Hope is Born Again.)
So this year, in the middle of the Christmas concerts, traffic jams, gift bags, and sugar-cookie chaos, try a few simple ways to stay centered:
Pause at the tree. When you plug in the lights, thank Jesus for being the Light of the World.
Pray as you wrap. As you tie each ribbon, pray a blessing over the person receiving the gift. (I stole this idea from someone. I can’t remember who.)
Worship while you work. Let Christmas carols become Christmas prayers.
When we purposely turn our eyes back to Jesus, we rediscover the miracle:
of Christmas. It will truly be the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Shine, Shine, Shine!