Christmas — A Time to Receive and Release

Christmas is almost here! Can you "feel it in the air"? The holiday season is special for so many reasons, most of which involve the coming of the Savior and time together with family and friends. In this Christmas UPGRADE, I want to help us focus on two things: Christmas is a time to receive and a time to release.

Christmas Is a Time to RECEIVE.

All throughout the Christmas season we receive gifts—not just on Christmas day.

1. We receive the gifts of Christmas cards.

Yes, they are gifts, reminding us of those we love.

The first Christmas card, according to Smithsonian Magazine, was sent out by a British educator, Sir Henry Cole, who had 1,000 copies of a card printed. The card had an artist's design of a holiday table with family members and smaller images of people helping the poor. It said simply: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To You." Unfortunately, the card included young children enjoying what looked to be glasses of wine, and some thought Cole was encouraging underage drinking!

In a time when people were used to writing very long letters at Christmas—which were hard for busy people to find time to read—the innovative "Christmas Card" was considered a time-saver choice.

Cards evolve in the late 1800s, spurred on, in part, by card publishers' contests for new designs. Then Christmas cards became valued collector items. The modern Christmas card industry began in 1915 when three brothers published their card at The Hall Brothers Company, which would change to Hallmark ten years later. (You can read more about the history of Christmas cards here.)

2. We receive gifts from our neighbors.

There are many ways we might interact with neighbors at Christmas. Our neighbors tell us they love the gift of our Christmas display—a large, lighted nativity scene—as they drive up the hill toward our house. I know what they mean. After a tough day, seeing that cheerful display as I come home feels like a gift.

It's been our habit to give Christmas treats to our neighbors every year. It's so fun to see the happy expressions as they receive our gift. But, to our delight, we have received goodies from them as well.

Over the years, the neighborhood Goodies Exchange has cultivated friendships far sweeter than the simple treats we share.

3. We receive the gift of kindness.

(Setting aside the nasty shoving and rudeness of some Christmas shopping experiences), the Christmas season—which begins informally right after Thanksgiving—is typically a time for compassion and kindness.

Once we have received the kindness of God through Jesus (Ephesians 2:7), the grateful overflow of that miraculous gift is giving to others. We give generously and cheerfully because we have received so much from God, and Paul said our kind generosity will again overflow—in "many thanksgivings to God" (2 Corinthians 9:11-12).

There are many creative ways to use our spiritual gifts to offer kindness at Christmas. Our Christmas kindness might manifest itself in serving or helping others, like volunteering at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.  Or taking time to visit an elderly shut-in, and take them a meal. Or writing to encourage a prisoner who recently received Christ.

It might also show up as we take out our checkbook. Ministries often experience a significant rise in funds from financial gifts during the holidays—and it's not only because of tax-deductions. At Christmas, we remember and support the ministries that we feel are doing God's work in God's ways. And we all have our favorites.

4. We receive the gift of music.

We love the Christmas carolers who stroll through our neighborhood, singing "Angels We Have Heart of High" and "Noel." We can attend church Christmas concerts. And the music channel on our television plays Christmas music 24/7. As I'm wearily typing this late at night, I hear "Jingle Bells" in the background and the peppy tune is a gift that energizes me.

But there's nothing like Christmas hymns. My favorite ends with "O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord." Let's be sure in this Christmas season we are offering worship that our Father can receive with joy.

5. We receive the gifts under the tree.

This is, of course, is a given in most homes—even if the number of packages has decreased in a tight economy. You no doubt have memories of your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day time of "unwrapping" gifts (after mom spent hours wrapping them).

The seasons of life may change how our material gift-giving looks, but it's always a joy to think about the recipients and try to find an appropriate gift for each one. Planning time together, creating new memories, is part of this Christmas gift.

6. We receive and remember the most precious gift of Christmas.

We must never forget that Christmas is a celebration of the coming of the Savior—sent as a gift to us (1 John 4:14; John 3:16). He was not simply a babe in a manger. He was God the Son, come to us for a specific purpose and it was Good News! Jesus would die for our sins—taking upon Himself the punishment we deserve—to redeem us from sin, guilt, and death.

The Bible says of Jesus,

He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24).

That is the most important gift we can receive—a gift that determines our eternal destiny.

Have you heard and received the Good News of God's gift to us? If not, you can read more scriptures about that here.

Christmas Is a Time to RELEASE.

We certainly have many things to receive at Christmas—and you may be able to think of other gifts I've left out. But I also think there are some things we should release.

1. Release the stress that has built up.

I don't know about you, but from mid-Thanksgiving on, my stress level amps up considerably. Scary news on the TV, the crowd-crazed shopping, holiday preparations and decorating, baking . . . you get the idea.

I have to spend extra time with Father God to help me release that stress. The verse I embrace at this time of year is part of Psalm 46:10 that says "Be still and know that I am God.

The Message version sounds like exactly what I (and maybe you?) need:

Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.

Take some deep breaths, do some simple body stretches—especially your neck and shoulders where stress can take up residence—and release your stress to the Lord, grateful that He can carry every  burden and give peace and stability in the midst of every struggle.

2. Release any ideas of a "perfect" Christmas.

We all desire a Norman Rockwell Christmas, embodied in the happy smiles of his "Merry Christmas, Grandma . . . We Came in Our New Plymouth" painting (1951).

You know what I'm saying, right? Those homey paintings of people celebrating a perfect Christmas without a care in the world are wonderful, but do they match up with our reality?

The only perfection we'll ever know is the Lord (and maybe a family hug). So give up the "perfect Christmas" drama.

While it's true that at Christmas we have many opportunities to create beautiful things and memories, life also goes on—with babies that spit-up on your holiday sweater right before a party, car parts that suddenly break down, a fall that puts you in a healing "boot," a batch of expensive-ingredient cookies that burn in the oven. . . just crazy stuff. Bad stuff.

Not-at-all-perfect stuff.

And that's OK. Life itself is a beautiful thing. Life is to be savored and appreciated every day.

If you don't believe that, ask someone with a newly-diagnosed terminal disease. They would probably tell you something like: "I'm going to cherish every day I have left!" or "Every day above ground is beautiful and blessed."

Take a moment to look around you at your Christmas decorations. Look at photos of loved ones. Think about a Christmas activity you'll be part of this year—even if it's online. Express your profound gratitude to God for all your blessings.

In that moment, Christmas might even FEEL perfect.

Just remember that it's not;

and if you try to create perfection, you might come close,

but as the Amish say, "Only God makes perfect things."

3. Release the memories that haunt you.

We all have memories. Most are good. But the bad ones, the uncomfortable ones—we need to let those go. Christmas is as good a time as any to release memories that haunt and hinder us, and we can do it as we focus on the Savior and what He did for us.

Every shred of guilt and shame needs to be released; and the Bible teaches that we can let them go when we have God's forgiveness in Christ. His sacrifice on the cross completely covers every sin (Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7) and removes our guilt and shame (Romans 8:1).

Logically, we don't need to "forgive ourselves" either, because He has already forgiven us (Ephesians 1:6-8; Psalm 103:12). We simply need to believe and rest in that truth.

Then, though we are positionally forgiven, we need to agree with God about our daily sins (1 John 1:9) and live in that freedom of restored fellowship with Him.

• If sins have piled up, unconfessed to God, it's hard to walk in complete peace.
• Unconfessed sin creates NEW BAD MEMORIES!"
• So keep short "sin accounts" with God, confessing sins as the Holy Spirit brings them to mind.

Maybe we need to release some anger or bitterness by forgiving others (Colossians 3:13). Lounging in the memories of past sins or offenses—by you or against you—will never do you any favors.

A word about our enemy. Satan loves to torture our thoughts about past sins (even though the Christian has been freed from his grasp). My counsel is:

When Satan comes knocking to remind you of sins and pile on guilt, ask Father God to remind him where he's going!

Then rest in the truth that God sees and knows, He forgives with great mercy, and He will make all things right when we see Jesus and live forever with Him.

Another way to release past memories that haunt us is to gratefully use them as teachable moments. Ask God what you can learn from them. Extract the teaching and leave the rest behind.

4. Release the dreams of the past.

This might seem like a strange one. Did you have some big dreams that never panned out? Maybe circumstances kept you from fulfilling your dreams. Or maybe God had bigger things in store for you, but you couldn't see that at the time, so you were disappointed and discouraged.

Maybe it's time to release some old dreams and allow God to create new ones for you.

Some dreams are still worth pursuing, even if they require great persistence. Other dreams may have crumbled or not come to fruition for any number of reasons.

I had many dreams before my diagnosis with multiple myeloma, and I thought I had plenty of time to achieve them. The weakness, infections, and side effects from drugs changed all that.

But I can dream new dreams tailored to my current circumstances—receiving those dreams from God because He knows what I can handle and that I can achieve them with His help.

It's important for believers to have God at the center of our imaginings for new projects and ministry because our lives are His and He desires to work in and through us. As it says in Ephesians 3:20 (NLT):

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

The purpose of Christians is to glorify Father God and enjoy Him now and forever. We set goals that help us do that with wisdom and humility, knowing that "the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance" (Proverbs 21:5 MSG).

So this Christmas, release old, stale dreams and allow God to give you vibrant new dreams for your growth, other's good, and His glory.

Christmas truly is a good time to RECEIVE the blessings that come our way, but also to RELEASE those things that hinder and stunt our growth or our ability to glorify God in the present.

Christmas Blessings, Friends!

Is there something you need to receive with gratitude? Is there something you need to release—again, with gratitude?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic of Christmas gift, courtesy of StockSnap at Pixabay.

Graphic of the first Christmas Card from Smithsonian Magazine, article, "The History of the Christmas Card," Dec. 9, 2015.

Graphic of Norman Rockwell's "Merry Christmas, Grandma," in an article at Laura Jaen Art, "Top 15 Christmas Artworks from Throughout History,"

Look for the Sign

Kolleen Lucariello has the unique gift of turning everyday circumstances into fun, intriguing, and life-altering lessons. In this Christmas UPLIFT post, she points us to three positive ways to discover the presence of Jesus this season.

I (Dawn) found this post point on for motivating the true Christmas spirit. But first, a funny story.

Here's Kollen . . .

“You’re in the wrong lane!” I shrieked as we approached our exit at a rather rapid rate, while boxed in by an enormous amount of traffic.

My driver, aka my husband, quickly darted over just in time to avoid a navigational miss.

“Why isn’t she talking to me?” He grumbled in frustration.

Which “she” was he referring to? I wondered.

“Wait. Who isn’t talking to you?” I asked.

My eyes had been in a book. I had no explanation for why his other copilot, Siri, had gone silent. I did question why he hadn’t seen the sign, however.

“I wasn’t looking for a sign.” He said, “I was waiting for her to talk.”

After years of significant Interstate travel, I knew exactly what happened—he’d gone into the zone. He was lost in thought with his eyes focused on the destination. Everything else became secondary.

“Well,” I said, half-teasing—half-terrorized, “Perhaps you could do both!”

The scene had nearly put me into heart-failure. Common, I think, when frightened by an unforeseen event.

No Siri on That Christmas

Incidents like this can help me empathize with the shepherds who were minding their business—as they did every other night—when they experienced their own startling and completely unexpected event. Imagine the look on their faces when an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The New English Translation says the situation “left them absolutely terrified” (Luke 2:9).

Understandable.

Terrified in the moment, but after listening to the proclamation of the Lord, it would seem no time was wasted in their departure to Bethlehem. That was enough for them to go “look for the sign” that would “lead them to find” (Luke 2:11).

Did they follow the star as the Magi had?

Can you imagine trying to follow a star? Without Siri to clarify every turn I wonder how long it took them.

Regardless of time, I know they did not give up until they found the one they’d been seeking. The reward for their obedience to go and look for the sign led them right to the presence of God.

Oh, that I might have the same tenacity to look for the sign that will always lead me into the presence of Jesus, rather than allow my troubles to become my focus. Especially during the season of Christmas when the pain of loss or the end of tradition seems to amplify its raging voice.

Are you looking for a sign that will lead you to enter in and experience the presence of Jesus?

Look for the Sign

Perhaps it’s the Sign of HOPE?

Every time the Israelites faced a new set of circumstances, they grumbled rather than remember God’s faithfulness through the years.

Are you able to “set your hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe?” (1 Timothy 4:10, ESV).

The Sign of PEACE?

Jesus is the Prince of Peace and He promised that when we remain in Him we will have peace.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV).

We will never have peace that surpasses all understanding until we encounter the presence of Jesus.

A Sign of JOY?

Jesus promised that keeping His commandments and abiding in His love infuses us with His joy, and that would produce joy within that would overflow. (John 15:10-11).

We can abide in his love and experience the presence of his joy when we can’t muster it on our own.

Ultimately, what we look for we will find.

The shepherds could have tried to explain away what they’d just witnessed. They may have had a list a mile long of why they shouldn’t, or couldn’t, leave their location.

Yet, they didn’t.

Instead, they “said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.’ So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger” (Luke 2:15b-16, NET).

It was because they looked for the recognizable sign that others were made aware of the identity of this baby boy.

He was so much more than your typical child; He was Christ the Lord.

Are you waiting for God to reveal a sign when He’s asking you to simply recognize His presence is already with you?

Avoid a navigational miss: go and make others aware of all the Lord has made known to you.

Who does God want you to help discover the presence of Jesus this holiday season?

Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time and is the Co-Director of Activ8Her, Inc. She is passionate to help every woman realize her identity in Christ and live accordingly. Kolleen and her hubby, Pat, make their home in Central New York. She’s the mom of three grown children and Mimi to six incredible grands. For more information about Kolleen, visit www.speakkolleen.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of ooceey at Pixabay.

Hark! The Good News

Sherri Cullison is a dear woman of God who has been through the wringer emotionally, and yet she chose joy and hope in God in her tough circumstances. In this Christmas UPLIFT, she offers her own experience in sharing the Good News to encourage us to do the same.

 "DING . . . DONG . . . DING . . . DONG . . . .

"My time of delicately playing worshipful music on the piano was brutally interrupted," Sherri says.

I (Dawn) love this heartfelt and truth-based UPLIFT. Sherri transparently shares how times of loss are unique opportunities for us when it comes to sharing the Good News of salvation.

Sherri continues . . .

My piano playing was interrupted with the loud ringing of bells high above the church rooftop as people arrived Sunday morning, just as they do every Sunday—announcing the start of the service.

I instantly jumped and then giggled at myself.

Many sounds announce the coming of certain events, such as Christmas music including BELLS—even displaying them in our decorations. In years past, women rang a bell on the ranch calling the cowboys in for supper. Students are even called into class by a bell.

And teachers, coaches, and referees use WHISTLES to stop and start the playing of sports.

As a young child, I went to the public swimming pool and the town SIREN was nearby. When the siren sounded, everyone at the pool stopped and paused for a moment because we knew it was likely something bad had happened or was going to happen. Just like our policemen, firemen, and ambulance drivers on their way to an emergency, sirens sound a warning to pull our cars over so they can pass.

TRUMPETS or SHOFARS were used in biblical times announcing certain seasons, events, or even signifying the start of a war. Psalm 98:4-6 (NIV) also reminds us that sounds of the trumpet and horn encourage joy and singing.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King.”

MUSICIANS and SINGERS would often march on the front lines announcing the coming of soldiers into battle.

In the book of Matthew, an ANGEL of the Lord announced to Joseph about the coming birth of Jesus.

And in Mark, we learn that a PROPHET, John the Baptist, spread word of the coming Messiah.

These were heralds, or official messengers bringing news.

In Mark 1:14, Jesus was a herald too, proclaiming the good news. Verse 15 says,

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News!”

Become a Herald of Good News

For the last two years, I was given the privilege of being my mother’s primary caregiver until she passed into heaven recently. There were struggles along the way, but there were also golden moments of opportunity I was given to talk to my mom about God.

My mother and father raised our family well with good morals and values, and her love for family was evident, but I never truly knew what her relationship with God was like.

Not long ago, when I knew in my spirit that she may not see the end of the year, I became a herald of the good news to her. I announced that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and what it meant to believe and accept the love of Christ in her heart. She likely knew this before, but I felt a responsibility to share the definitive good news with her.

My walk with the loss of my mother has been emotional and lonely, especially during the holidays, but I find solace in knowing that I didn’t suppress the opportunity to share God’s love with her.

I worked relentlessly toward giving her the best care she deserved and encouraging a step toward heavenly peace.

Times of loss may not feel like the time to share the Good News with others, but there are at least three ways we can take advantage of this opportunity:

1. When someone asks us how we're doing following a loss, we can be honest about how we feel, but also share how God comes and fills the well of loneliness as we talk to Him.

2. When someone asks us how we can worship God when we're devastated following a loss, we can share how spending time in God's presence in worship can envelope the fear and anxiety and bring peace.

3. When someone asks us how we can go on following a loss, we can share what God has done for us and the hope of knowing He's always there for us and has a future for us.

Sharing the Good News with someone may mean the difference between their hopelessness or happiness, and even spreading joy to someone who they know may need Christ’s love.

Jesus said, in Mark 4:43 (NIV),

“…I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

May we, as followers of Jesus, boldly announce Christ’s love to others—even during our losses, because that may be the most prominent time others see God working in and through us.

How do you plan to share the good news with someone that needs Jesus today?

Sherri J. Cullison, author and speaker, knows the pain and devastation life brings. Whether your hope is treading or sinking, Sherri's heart for hope reveals how we can manage our everyday struggles to claim joy and love life. In her recent book, SOS: A Mother's Story of Survival, Rescue, and Hope in the Darkness of Teen Suicide, Sherri shares the heartbreaking loss of her daughter and the evidence of God's healing, forgiveness, and restoration. Sherri and her husband live in Arizona and have two children, seven grandchildren, five pianos, and one RZR. Find more about Sherri at www.sherrijcullison.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Peggy Choucair at Pixabay.

When Christmas Doesn't Feel 'Christmasy'

Sally Ferguson is wise and caring, and both traits combine to make her a superb encourager. In this Christmas UPGRADE, she reaches out to those who might hurt at Christmas by offering wise counsel from a compassionate heart.“Financial distress. Health scares. Job insecurity. Family discord. When circumstances take you out of your security zone you can feel tossed at sea,” Sally said.

A note from Dawn: As a teenager, I heard the Elvis Presley song "Blue Christmas," and at age 14 I wondered, "Why would anyone not have a happy Christmas?" Fast forward not too many years and I discovered many reasons—both cultural and personal in origin. Sally recognizes that too, and she offers wise counsel to combat "Christmas-time blues."

Sally continues . . .

The "boat ride" we experience caring for my ninety-year-old father can leave us numb, even at Christmas.

I no longer panic when heading to the Emergency Room because hospital stays have become the norm. I just grab Dad’s medication info, a book to read, a bottle of water, snacks, and my phone charger.

Maybe you’ve experienced times of feeling down during the holidays. You try to get in a festive spirit but end up deflated instead.

In fact, there may be more people who can relate than you realize.

In a survey conducted by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “Approximately 755 of overall respondents reported that the holidays contribute to feeling sad or dissatisfied and 68% financially strained. 66% have experienced loneliness, 63% too much pressure and 57% unrealistic expectations. 55% found themselves remembering happier times in the past contrasting with the present, while 50% were unable to be with loved ones.”

How can we battle feeling discouraged during a season when we’re supposed to be full of happiness?

Here are some ways I combat the Christmas blues.

1. Enlist help. (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

Decorating, cooking, and cleaning multiply during the holidays. One of the ways we tackle the job of decorating is with a family tree trimming party.

Ornaments go up and cookies get washed down with homemade eggnog.

My sister pitches in with the baking and washing dishes.

Why not treat yourself to an early Christmas present by paying a college student or a grandchild to manage some of the household chores? It’s a win for both when your to-do list gets shortened, and they get some spending money for the holidays.

2. Manage expectations. (Psalm 46:10)

When you think about it, redecorating the house for one month seems ludicrous. I’ve amassed trinkets, wall art, couch pillows, mugs, scented candles, sleigh bells, yard ornaments, and a sundry collection to doll up my house.

At some point, we have to divvy up our treasures to bless others.

And some years, we don’t have to use the entire ensemble to usher in the season. Adjust according to your needs.

Be still and acknowledge God. Allow Him to help you manage your expectations.

3. Make time for fun. (Proverbs 23:4a)

Put aside your list for something you’ll enjoy.

• Drive to a Christmas light display with the grands and say “ooo" and "aah” with each exchange of wow factor.
• Go on a sleigh ride and feel the cold air in your lungs. If you live in a warm climate, take a nighttime boat ride down the canal to see the boats lit up in their finery.
• Watch a favorite Christmas movie and celebrate with popcorn.
• Take a break from shopping with a treat from the coffee shoppe.

Pace yourself! Do not "wear yourself out."

4. Run back to our Abba. (Ephesians 5:29)

We can take great comfort in God’s Word. Scripture is full of reminders that God is for us and God is with us; and our Abba wants us to take care of our bodies.

Maybe you’re cruising along well with the holidays, but do you have a friend who is dragging? What can you do to help? (Proverbs 3:27)

Here are some ways you might encourage your friend:

• Drop in with flowers and tea.
• Include her in your shopping trip.
• Send a verse and a word of encouragement.
• Bring a hug and a listening ear.
• Wrap presents together and listen to carols.
• Bake Christmas cookies together.
• Tackle an item on her list.

Sometimes the best encouragement is an emoji in a text. It lets the person know you’re there and you care.

When you meet another at her point of need, you are an ambassador for the Babe who arrived at Christmas. You're the one who represents Jesus in the flesh—our Emmanuel who cares about every detail we face.

This Christmas, whether you have “all the feels” or not, may you know without a doubt you are important to the One who created you. He loves you so much that His Son died on the cross that you might have a full and abundant life (John 10:10).

Rejoice in this great truth:

“I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 NASB).

Which tip to combat the Christmas blues seems doable to you?

Sally Ferguson lives in western New York with her husband, and her dad. She writes to shine hope in darkness and often does so by revealing her own struggles. Sally’s latest article released December 1^st in Michelle Rayburn’s collective, Renewed Christmas Blessings. Visit her website at sallyferguson.net to see other work and to get a copy of her mom’s famous eggnog!

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Larisa Koshkina at Pixabay.

Remembering Snapshots of Christmas Past

Joanie Shawhan is such a precious, God-loving, joy-filled woman, and I often smile at what she writes. In this Christmas UPGRADE, she reminds us that the joys of our Christmases only reflect in part the joy of the first Christmas.  "At our family reunion, I shuffled through a stack of old Christmas photos," Joanie said. "Each snapshot told a story—a precious memory captured in still life."

I (Dawn) found myself smiling as I read Joanie's words. I too have precious memories captured in photos. But what I love most about what she wrote is the reminder that any joy we may have in our celebrations pales to the glorious joy of the angels, shepherds, wise men, and Mary and Joseph as they realized the promised Savior had come.     

Joanie continues . . . 

As I looked at the photos, I stared at our beaming faces and wondered if our delight mirrored the expectation and joy of that first Christmas morning.

Memories of God’s faithfulness flooded my mind. Not only his faithfulness to me, but His faithful promise to send the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus.

Snapshots of God’s Faithfulness  

1. God comes to the lowly.

I picked up a photo of me when I was five, seated next to our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It had been haphazardly propped up in a playpen, protecting the sparse branches from my inquisitive toddler brother.

Maybe we could only afford a Charlie Brown tree, but I still received the present I wanted most—a tea set.

Our lowly tree hadn’t deterred the arrival of my gift.

And humble beginnings hadn’t deterred the arrival of Jesus.

Even though he was God, He was not born in a palace like a king, but born in a stable.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (Luke 2:11-12 NIV).

2. God comes with joy.

In another photo, my wide grin revealed two new front teeth. Home-permed hair framed my beaming face as I cradled a new doll.

That Christmas Eve the doorbell chimed. A large box of colorfully-wrapped presents greeted us. Our excited voices rang, “Santa came!”

But on that first Christmas, one far greater than Santa arrived hailed by a multitude of angelic hosts rejoicing and praising God. Jesus came amidst shouts of joy.

Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11 NKJV).

3. God comes with surprises.

One year, my mom surprised me with beautifully-sewn Barbie clothes. She even made matching hats for my Barbie from the med cups she had saved from her last hospital maternity visit.

I treasured this surprise gift.

I can’t imagine the surprise Mary and Joseph felt when magi from the east traveled so far to bring extravagant gifts to their young son.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11 NIV).

4. God comes with sacrificial love.

As clear as a photo, I recalled another Christmas.

That year, my mom pulled out a heavy wooden box filled with sterling silverware she had received as a wedding gift. She said since we didn’t use it anymore, she planned to sell the silver.

Many years later, I learned that her wedding silver paid for Christmas presents the year my dad was out of work.

I’m grateful for my mom’s sacrifice of love. It reminds me of the sacrifice of God’s only Son.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 NIV).

5. God comes to dwell with us. 

In a more recent photo of myself, a red beret covered my bald head.

That year, I celebrated Christmas between chemotherapy cycles.

On Christmas Eve, I sat in the balcony under the vaulted ceiling of my home church for our candlelight Christmas Eve service. Flames from our candles danced to the joyous strains of Christmas carols echoing throughout the ornate church.

God reminded me that He had been with me so far on this ovarian cancer journey and He would see me through.

I recalled how God had been with his people throughout the ages, always faithful to His promises.

He had been with me and He would still be with me because He is Emmanuel—God With Us.

'Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel' (which means, God with us) (Matthew 1:23 RSV).

As I sift through these snapshots from Christmas past, I’m amazed by God’s faithfulness. Not only his faithfulness to me, but His faithfulness throughout the centuries to His chosen people.

I am reminded that the joy I experienced at Christmas was only a shadow of the true joy of that first Christmas when Jesus was born.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old (Psalm 77:11 ESV).

Where do you see God’s faithfulness in your snapshots of Christmas past?

Joanie Shawhan shares true-life stories, offering her reader an eyewitness view of the action. Her Selah Awards Finalist book, In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer, reflects the value of “Your story plus my story become our stories.” An ovarian cancer survivor and registered nurse, Joanie speaks to medical students in the Survivors Teaching Students program. She co-founded an ovarian cancer social group: The Fried Eggs—Sunny-Side Up. Publishing credits include: Guideposts Divine Interventions, Snapshots of Hope & Heart, Wit, Whimsy & Wisdom, Life Repurposed, and We May Be Done But We’re Not Finished. Follow Joanie at www.joanieshawhan.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Marina Abrosimova at Pexels.