This is the time that we all are frantically preparing for Christmas. The lists are mile-long for what to do, what to buy, what to wish for. And what not to forget. We want to make our Christmas better than last year, maybe even perfect. All the hustle and bustle that is going on can be very stressful. But I’m here to bring some grace into your preparations. My advice for you this season is: Keep calm and let Jesus be born in your heart.

Keep calm and let Jesus be born in your heart

Our frantic Christmas preparations do not make Christmas. Your Christmas won’t be perfect even if you fulfill each others’ entire wish lists. You can’t find the meaning of Christmas in the packed malls or festive parties. Jesus came and still comes humbly and quietly to us. So keep calm and let Jesus be born in your heart. And you will be blessed.

Jesus did not come to fulfill our wish lists…

Indeed Jesus did not come to fulfill our wish lists. He came for something bigger and better. Jesus came to fulfill our hope. And this hope is not just a bunch of wishes fulfilled or more stuff we don’t need. Jesus brings us to hope everlasting. Hope that assures we truly are so loved by God that he sent Jesus to save us.

And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.”
(Romans 15:12, NIV, emphasis added)

With the words of J.I. Packer “The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity–hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory–because at the Father’s will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.”

….he came to fulfill our hope

There really is a huge difference between wishes and hope. Fulfilled wishes keep us happy until the end of the day. Fulfilled hope keeps us happy until the end of eternity. So keep calm and let Jesus be born in your heart. Rise above all commercial trappings and let the Holy Spirit work miracles in your life.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NIV, emphasis added)

 

Gracious God,
Forgive us for forgetting the true meaning of Christmas
and leaving you out of our plans.
We need Jesus, Lord.
Thank you for sending him into the world.
Let him be born in our hearts too.
Show us how to rise above commercial trappings
and how to cling to hope everlasting.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you stressed out about Christmas? How do you deal with it?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, keep calm and let Jesus be born in your heart! Embrace Jesus for the reason of the season and let him show you how to celebrate him in your heart!

Photo by Grant Whitty on Unsplash.