Celebrate Christmas
By Pamela Blattner
“And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when people go up with flutes to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.”
Isaiah 30:29
I love the songs, smells, and warmth that the month of December brings. I crank up the boom box in our living room to “experience” Andréa Bocelli’s voice as he tenderly and passionately sings “Oh Holy Night.” As the song progresses to its crescendo, I become ushered into Christmas. Charlotte Church is next, and her singing traditionally accompanies our tree-trimming activity. Hiding the pickle ornament marks its conclusion. And, my good friend Perry Como is the only one I allow in my kitchen during the annual extreme grandparenting cookie decorating extravaganza!By Pamela Blattner
“And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when people go up with flutes to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.”
Isaiah 30:29
I believe that when God sees us lighting the CHRISTmas tree in our homes, He feels honored and glorified. The crèches that adorn our mantles and homes dressed up with beautiful strings of lights usher powerful memories of God’s greatest Gift to mankind: Jesus. He inhabits our praise as we sing to the traditional hymns, carols and sweet new melodies that worship His Name. What beautiful memories we can create to symbolize Christ’s entrance into the world.
God loves celebrations. When Jesus was born, God celebrated big time! Our Christmas tree lights are nothing compared to the way He decorated the skies with heavenly fireworks to introduce the Light of the world. He scheduled the angelic choir to announce the Lamb of God to the lowly shepherds and He sent a star to lead the kings from the East to worship the King of all kings.
I also believe that God enjoys our fanfare at our Christmas Eve services. When I was growing up, I gazed toward the front of the sanctuary to see the beautiful tall Christmas trees almost guarding the nativity scene, with the figure of baby Jesus lying in the manger filled with hay. Large choirs accompanied overpowering pipe organs that pounded out hymns of thanksgiving and praise. I can imagine His delight! Can you imagine the joy of the Lord as he draws our sweet aroma through the heavens?
This year, as we decorate our homes and celebrate Christmas traditions, let’s have fun and find creative ways to show our families how to delight in the symbolism of the season. Thank you, God, for loving celebrations…and the reminders they are to us of who You are and why You came.
GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you show the joy of Christ’s birth this season to those around you?
FURTHER READING:
Exodus 10:9; 1 Chronicles 16:27; Nehemiah 8:12
Pam and her husband Richard have two adult children and two grandchildren. She serves Oakwood through its Family Care Ministries.
