Let's Celebrate Christmas ALL year

Jen and I really enjoyed this Christmas. Maybe it was extra special because we know it is our last before we move to Florida. We were faithful to our tempting Advent calendar from Trader Joe's and only ate one piece of chocolate a day. Jackson loved opening all the Christmas cards that filled our mailbox daily and even helped hang them on the wall. We also discovered Clare's love of dancing— she's wild! We also had a great time visiting with our neighbors— who brought presents for the kids and invited us into their homes for cookies and cider. There really was a special feeling in the air this Christmas.


Yet now that Christmas is over, some of that special feeling is gone. The parties and gift-giving is over and the air just feels a little more stale.  Yet why does that have to happen? Christmas is something that can and should be celebrated all year. I'm not talking about leaving your Christmas lights up all year or drinking hot chocolate in the summer. I'm talking about celebrating the fact that God loves us so much that he came and lived among us. That is what Christmas truly signifies— God becoming flesh and blood in the person of Jesus. God wanted to show humanity what he was like in a way that was tangible. In 1 John 1:1 we read, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life." They're talking about Jesus. They heard, saw and touched him. Christmas is important because it shows and reminds us that God loves us so much that God entered into it in order to bring healing, hope and restoration.

As Christians, our lives are to point people toward Jesus. This means that we need to love, forgive, share and celebrate just as Jesus did while he was on earth. You don't need to thump people on the head with Bibles or pretend that we have it all figured out— we are called to point people to Jesus by the way that we love each other.

Here are a few practical ways that we can celebrate Christmas year round. First, love and spend time with people and get to know them. Not just family, but neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers. That is what Jesus did. Second, be more generous and give. Let someone know that you care about them and expect nothing in return. Imagine what that would feel like?  Finally, the best way to celebrate Christmas is to be thankful. Constantly remember what God has done, is doing and is will do in the future and share it with your family, neighbors, and even strangers. 

May we point people toward Jesus as we share life together. Amen.


Merry Christmas!
Ryan Hansard

(Weekly readings: Psalm 147;  

Isaiah 61:10-62:3; 

Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; 

John 1:1-18)