CHRISTMAS IN MAY

I know it’s May, but today, just for a moment, I want to talk about Christmas morning!

Christmas morning feels like a little slice of heaven on earth, doesn’t it? Growing up, Mom and Dad made Christmas morning so special for us.  As my siblings and I sat on the top of our staircase, anxiously anticipating our descent down the stairs and around the corner to see what Santa had brought, Mom and Day joyfully bustled around downstairs – Mom whipping up cinnamon rolls or eggs and Dad taking care of last minute Christmas details. I bet your Christmas mornings were so special too. I feel just as excited about Christmas morning as an adult as I did as a little girl on that staircase.

Christmas morning for most of us is this concoction of the beauty of being with the people we love and who love us so unconditionally back, smells and sounds of Christmas, anticipation of fun gifts, and a sweet reminder of the One we celebrate. It’s a mixture of joyful anticipation, a little magic in the air, and a bit of heaven crossing paths with our everyday life.

This past Christmas, a thought crossed my mind as I drank my coffee in front of the glowing lights of the Christmas tree:

I want to live every day like it’s Christmas morning. 

I want to live with as much joy and holy anticipation as I do on the morning that holds wrapping paper and twinkling lights. I want to anticipate God’s sweet gifts and surprises as much as I anticipate them on Christmas morning. I want to ponder God and how He sent His Son to cross paths with our everyday life as much as I ponder Him during the Christmas season. I want to live with Christmas joy every day of the year.

Maybe you’re thinking: Is it possible? Is it possible to live with such joy, exuberance, and expectation?

Maybe this is the Christmas spirit rubbing off on me, but I do believe it’s possible. I believe it’s possible to keep our joy and zest for God and this life He’s given us stirred up every day. I believe it’s possible to live with a holy anticipation of God intervening in our lives and continuing to do miracles in our everyday situations. I believe it’s possible to be full of Christmas, full of Christ, every day of the year.

And maybe, all it takes is a quiet moment each day of acknowledging that every day is a gift. Every day is a gift to unwrap, to marvel over, and to watch for the sweet surprises of God. Every day is a gift because God resides in us, and by His Spirit, He produces the joy in us. (“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” Galatians 5:22)

What are you hoping for?

What are you praying about?

What are your every day, Christmas wishes?

What if you chose to get excited? To believe God will answer? To trust that He’s got surprises around every corner?

What if you took a moment each day to remember that the One we celebrate on Christmas lives in you?

What if you lived every day like it’s Christmas morning?