Celebrating Christmas is great. And easy. For real. It does not require long shopping lists or empty wallets. There’s absolutely no stress involved because everything is already done for us. Don’t you believe me? Let me explain.

You teach me the way of life.
    In your presence is total celebration.
Beautiful things are always in your right hand.
(Psalm 16:11, CEB)

The perfect Christmas and total celebration is only found in God’s presence. No where else. God’s arms are wide open for us because Jesus was born 2000 years ago and eventually died for our sins and was raised from the death. Because Jesus made it possible for us to be made right with God. That is the real celebration: Immanuel – God with us – is born.

So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures. (James 1:16-18, MSG)

You don’t need to rush around trying to find perfect gifts for everyone. You don’t need to make you or your house presentable for total celebration. Just open your heart. God has prepared everything for our total celebration in advance. All the amazing gifts we need are ready for us to receive them:

Light in the midst of darkness,
Peace in the midst of chaos,
Love in the midst of hate,
Joy in the midst of sadness,
Healing in the midst of pain,
Hope in the midst of despair,
Grace in the midst of imperfection,
Freedom in the midst of captivity.

Let Jesus touch your heart and you’re instantly ready for total celebration. No matter where you are and no matter how imperfect and unprepared you are. Christmas is not about you. It’s about God with us!

 

Gracious God,
Thanks so very much for preparing everything for us.
Thanks so much for sending Jesus to save us.
Thanks so much for every good gift you’re giving us.
We do need you.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Touch our hearts.
Ready us for total celebration.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you ready for total celebration?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you embrace Immanuel this Christmas and always!

Image courtesy of creationswap.com, design by Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Small Wonders, and #InspireMeMonday.