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.

The Gifts of the Magi

Joanie Shawhan has turned suffering into an occasion for joyful worship. In this Christmas UPGRADE, she reminds us of the gifts of the Magi in a unique way—by sharing her own gifts to Jesus.

"My cry echoed the cries of many throughout the centuries," Joanie says, "culminating in the haunting strains of 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.'"

That is one of my (Dawn's) favorite Christmas songs. It has always brought me such peace; and apparently it brings Joanie peace too.

You can listen to two beautiful renditions of the Christmas hymn here and here. (The second one is in English and Hebrew, performed in Jerusalem.)

Joanie continues . . .

In 2006, my treadmill of holiday festivities sputtered to a halt. Instead of my Christmas letter brimming with the clever antics of beloved children and pets, I announced:

“I have ovarian cancer.”

Chemotherapy had sapped my stamina, my strength, and my joy. I didn’t have the energy to drag out the boxes of Christmas baubles and decorate.

I wanted to do more, but I settled on a simple hand-painted nativity set gracing my fireplace mantel.

Multi-colored lights surrounded the figurines in a valiant attempt to cheer me. I watched the shadows play across the wall as I faced another round of chemotherapy.

Where ARE You, God?

As I sought God in the unfamiliarity of a Christmas on chemotherapy, He reminded me of the Magi.

They left their familiar homeland filled with joy and embarked on a journey seeking to worship the newborn king bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

As I reflected on the Magi, I wondered, "What gifts could I offer this Christmas—gifts fit for a King?"

My Three Gifts

1. Gold

I offer that which is more precious than gold, my FAITH. A faith that continues to believe in the goodness of God. A faith that acknowledges Jesus as the King of Kings who reigns over the whole world, including my circumstances.

Even cancer.

This season, I honor the King by walking in faith and trusting Him with my future, relying on Jesus to bring me through the cancer and chemotherapy. God is faithful.

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold (1 Peter 1:7a NLT).

2. Frankincense

Frankincense is an expensive and fragrant incense offered in the worship of a deity.

My fragrant offering pleasing to God is praise and WORSHIP.

Even in the midst of pain, confusion, and chemotherapy, He is worthy.

You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created (Revelation 4:11 NKJV).

3. Myrrh

The bitter perfume of suffering foreshadowed the death of Jesus on the cross. By his death and resurrection, He rescued us from our sinful way of life and gave us access to the living God.  

For me, myrrh represents my altar of SURRENDER to the Lordship of Jesus. I surrender my circumstances, hopes, and dreams to the One who loves me, created me, and died for me.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV).

This Christmas, I will follow in the footsteps of the Magi and offer my gifts of faith, worship, and surrender to Jesus.

I will look past my sufferings and focus on the majesty of my Savior. He is the source of my joy—a joy not dependent upon my circumstances, but a joy that comes from His presence.

Like the Magi, I will rejoice with great joy.

"Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come!"

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy… they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:10-11 NKJV).

God heard my cry:

Where are You, God?

Through the gifts of the Magi, He revealed himself as Emmanuel—"God with us."

And He is still with me.

Is Jesus your "Emmanuel?" What gifts will you offer Jesus this Christmas?

Joanie Shawhan is a Selah Awards Finalist for In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer. She is an ovarian cancer survivor, registered nurse, speaker, and featured radio and television guest. Contact Joanie at www.joanieshawhan.com.

Graphic adapted from a vector courtesy of Pixabay.