Merry, Merry Christmas.

Christmas – What a time of year.
I just love it so much. It is as if everything just gets sweeter in December. Suddenly houses sparkle and are filled with the aroma of baked goods. Families are coming together and gathering in celebration of Jesus. There is a happy hustle about December, as if everyone turns into an elf at this time, buying presents, wrapping presents, writing cards, giving presents. Christmas carols aka songs about Jesus are being played in every supermarket and shopping centre. There are endless christmas movies and cookies. See, everything get’s sweeter.

Why is that? Yes, it’s because it is the celebration of Jesus, wether people are intentionally celebrating Him or not, but I think it is also that at Christmastime there is a wholeheartedness about everything. People who do not normally live in a wholehearted way, are suddenly doing so without neccessarily realising it.

Definition of Wholehearted:

whole·heart·ed
(hōl′här′tĭd)
adj.
Marked by unconditional commitment, unstinting devotion, or unreserved enthusiasm.
So often we lose our wholehearted(ness). We start thinking in a going-through-the-motions mindset, rather than in a passionate, enthusiastic way. I’m not saying you have to enjoy everything, but let’s live wholeheartedly.

Christmas is such an incredible time, but oh boy has it flown by this year.
Let’s enjoy these last few days of Christmas; let’s really be present. Tell the people you love, how much you love and appreciate them. Be fully there. Taste the food. Laugh a lot. Give, either in presents, time, encouragment or attention. Truly give of yourself, but don’t forget that to be a good giver, you have to be a good receiver. Receive the love that people are giving to you, don’t question it. Just receive it. This day; this season is the celebration of love.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son.”

It’s the gift of love.
Receive the gift, receive the love, give love.

Lean into His presence. Trust that He is right there with you. That peace you feel when you are outside on a summer night in awe of the stars, that is Him; That is His presence. Your awe of the beauty and the peace, that’s worship. That is just a very small example. Whenever you are in awe of beauty. Beauty in any way, that is worship. Beauty is anything that provokes worship. What are you worshipping though?

He is majesty, all wonderful, all beautiful. Let your awe be placed on Him this Christmas.

Have fun! Watch Christmas movies, look at lights, go to Carols in the park, bake cookies. Just don’t forget to have fun.

Let’s be wholehearted people, let’s really love those around us, let’s be childlike in receiving, giving & in all things Christmas, let’s be people with hearts of worship for Him & soak in every sweet moment. Life is worth appreciating.

“Life is a gift and the giver is good.”