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PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR CHRISTMAS (WEEK 3) Awe + Wonder

Welcome to week 3 of the series, “Preparing Your Heart for Christmas.” Our Advent journey continues as we look to the Christmas story and our response to it.

The Advent season is a “holy awakening” of sorts. 

Take a moment—away from the noise and clutter and demands of the season—to look anew at all that Christmas means, and let it change you all year through.

First, let’s read the Christmas story, about the birth of Jesus, in Luke 2:1-20. Then read inspiring words about God’s peace and love—and our response in awe and wonder. 

The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Wow! What a beautiful story of Jesus coming to earth in such a humble way. For you. For me.

And the baby Jesus grew up. 

And taught us how to love each other, and how to live forgiven and free. And how to have a relationship with Him so we could be with God forever in Heaven. Forever.

To help you reflect on this amazing gift, here are a few inspiring excerpts for preparing our hearts for Christmas—by remembering God’s peace and love, and then being moved in our response in awe and wonder. Because of His love, we are forever changed. 

(Excerpts from Ruth Chou Simons’ book, Emmanuel.)

PEACE
Peace on earth…the peace we all say we want at Christmas, and year ‘round, is a gift that comes through trusting Jesus to provide what we cannot. True peace with God is the good news of the gospel, but continuing peace of mind—the peace that surpasses understanding—is the byproduct of trusting God through prayer and thanksgiving.

LOVE
As we continue in this Advent season…we encounter a love that is greater than any…love is the character of God, and this is the love that changes everything for a believer.

When the love of God, cradled in a lowly manger, becomes our greatest gift of the Christmas season and throughout the year, we can’t help buy lavish such love onto others…and declare His love with our actions before a watching world.

AWE + WONDER. 

The miracle of Christmas is this: that a holy God made a way for all who believe to come to Him…by first coming to us.

Let that sink in.

God’s promises, fulfilled by God Himself, are more than remarkable; they merit a response—not to get busy, but to fall down in reverence and awe for our great God.

PONDER
What stirs up awe and wonder in your soul?

PRAYER
Father, You are worthy of our praise.
When we consider Your faithfulness
through the works of Your hands,
through the gift of Your Son, and
through the ways You care for us day by day,
we’re humbled and we remember once again:
You are God and we are not.
Lord, forgive us for the ways we try to steal Your glory
and trust in ourselves. You draw near to us each day
and put on display the ways
You are still sovereign and good.
May we give You the adoration and praise You deserve—
not just this Christmas season, but each and every day.
Amen.

Resources from Jackie M. Johnson

If you are feeling lonely this holiday season.

If you are dealing with a loss or tragedy.

If you are feeling discouraged or down, and need to get your joy back. 

If you need to find peace.

 

–Excerpts from Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always. By Ruth Chou Simons
(Harvest House Publishers, 2022)

Photo credit: Alain Gehri, Unsplash

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An Advent Journey: Preparing Your Heart for Christmas (Week 2)

Christmas is coming. And it’s time to prepare our HEARTS, not just our HOMES for this special season.

How do we prepare for Christmas, the birth of Christ?

How can we make it meaningful again?

By reflecting on what Christmas really means. And, the amazing Love of God. Love that sent His Son to us. God WITH us. Emmanuel. 

What a gift!

And because of the gift of “God with us,” we want to experience transformed lives.

So, let’s remember anew the LOVE and HOPE and JOY that can fill our hearts at Christmas—and all through the year.

To do so, here are some inspiring excerpts from Ruth Chou Simons’ new book, Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always.

• The Christmas season is often hijacked by the stress we allow to direct the posture of our hearts. Sure, we can simplify by buying less décor, or changing up our gift-buying routine…But don’t be fooled; if peace is what we seek, we will find its true source ony in Christ. 

• How does peace come about? It comes through the person of Christ as He guards our hearts and minds as we surrender to Him. 

• A focus on self, complicates and adds stress, but a focus on God’s faithfulness simplifies and frees our hearts to rejoice.

• If the idea of Immanuel, God with us—blows your mind, it should. But more stunning than even the birth of Christ is the mystery of the Savior’s presence forever with us, wherever we go, through the Spirit. God with us wasn’t one event on Christmas Day…it is forevermore in the lives of those who receive Him as Savior and King. 

• Jesus doesn’t want our partial attention during the month of December, He wants our hearts every day of every year. He wants us to be transformed.

• Christ brings us an entirely new identity. We are no longer enemies or fearful outsiders, but heirs with Christ, who have been brought near. We were made to reflect Him, and He is worthy of that imitation.

• So rejoice! In Christ, we’ve been restored to the fellowship we were made for with our Heavenly Father—a restoration planned by God in eternity past, and fulfilled in Jesus, the promised Messiah.

As you read and reflect, may you find renewed faith, hope, and JOY!


PONDER
What is one stressor you can replace
today with thankfulness and prayer?

How has Jesus transformed your life?

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, we trust You
for all that clutters our minds and hearts this day.
We confess that our lack of peace is so often tied to
a lack of thanksgiving for what You have already done.
So Lord, give us thankful hearts.
May we trust You for the peace that guards
Our minds against anxious thoughts.
Amen.


Resources from Jackie M. Johnson

If you are feeling lonely this holiday season. 

If you are dealing with a loss or tragedy.

If you are feeling discouraged or down, and need to get your joy back. 

If you need to find peace.


Photo credit: Lisa Fotios, pexels

–Excerpts from Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always. By Ruth Chou Simons
(Harvest House Publishers, 2022)

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How to Help Singles in Your Church To Thrive




Today, there are more SINGLE adults in America than MARRIED people. About 50.2 percent (about 126 million) of us are not married.

So, what is the church doing to meet their needs?

Not enough.

That’s according to Gina Dalfonzo, author of One By One: Welcoming the Singles in Your Church (Baker Books, 2017). Here are a few thoughts from her book.

Singles feel lonely. While the church is a place to worship, connect and serve—a place to find community and fellowship—many singles find the church to be a lonely place.

Singles may feel “less than.” Some single adults feel overlooked because of their marital status. They feel unseen, forgotten or left out because there aren’t any small groups or programs for singles at their place of worship—especially for singles over age 40. At many churches, programming and events are centered on couples and families.

Perhaps you’ve heard some of these comments from well-meaning married folks at your church:

“So, when are you going to get married (or married again)?

“Why hasn’t some nice young man scooped you up?”

“You’re not getting any younger, you need to settle down.”

Yikes.

While these people may have good intentions, often singles are made to feel as if something is wrong with them if they are not married or don’t have kids.

And the truth is, single adults have infinite worth and value no matter what our marital status.

[Side note: I know dozens of wonderful Christian single women of all ages who would love to be married, but single men simply don’t ask them out. But that’s another blog post for another day.]

Dalfonzo, the author, is single herself and she is also pro-family. She writes:

“…families, especially families with children, are honored, encouraged, supported, and praised by the church. And that’s a good thing. Parents of young children are doing a tough and often thankless job…they need all the encouragement they can get. What the church doesn’t always understand is that single Christians need encouragement and support too.”

So what do you do with church singles whose ages may vary from 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond? How do you meet their needs for community and ensure they are growing in their faith?

How Married People Can Help Singles
Dalfonzo offers sage advice for married people—and for the church as a whole—on how to be more aware of and welcoming of singles.

First, it’s important for married people to remember that everyone who walks into church isn’t married with children. Some have never been married—whether they are a few years out of college or approaching retirement. Some single adults are divorced, separated or widowed—and may or may not have children. Dalfonzo says:

Look. Train yourself to see—really see—the single people in your church. Don’t ignore them as you make a beeline to talk to others who are just like you. Make it a point to look for them and look at them.

Listen. When you notice a single person at church, make the effort to go over and talk. And listen. Ask questions. Ask them how they are, or how you can pray for them. Meet up in the coffee area at church or invite them out for lunch sometime. Show you care.

Learn. You have to be willing to acknowledge that there are people in your church who are different from you, who have experiences and memories and points of view that may be very different. We can all learn from each other.

Love. Reach out in friendship to the single Christians around you. Help the church to incorporate their ideas and meet their needs. Ask a single adult over for coffee, for lunch or for a holiday meal. Demonstrate with actions the love of Christ for your single brothers and sisters in the church.

The church can see singles and love them as they are.

The church can restructure classes, groups, and activities to include both single and married people instead of keeping them apart—at least some of the time.

In the end, singles are not a problem to be dealt with, or a project to take care of. We want to be a valued as an integral part of the church whether we are age 35, 55 or 75.

Additionally, singles can get to know others in the church by serving alongside them in a ministry or a service project.

Single men and women can reach out to married people, too, and start a conversation or a friendship.

Single or married, we really do need each other.

Author Delfanzo summarizes with these thoughts:
“We need people in our lives who understand us…
but we also need people who are coming from
different backgrounds, stages of life, and points of view.
We need these people to help us broaden our perspective,
look at life from different angles…
and they need us too.”

For more posts by Jackie M. Johnson on singles topics, see her Living Single blog. And the “Growing a Better Life” blog on this website.

Photo: Priscilla De Preez, unsplash.com 



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The Absolutely Wonderful, Life-Changing Truth About Christmas



Christmas. For many, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

You know those happy folks: they can’t get enough of the twinkling lights, tree decorating, holiday baking, Hallmark holiday movies, gift giving and general festive merriment.

For others, it’s a sad time. Those who have lost loved ones—through death, divorce, or other means—often find it hard to find joy in the season. They’re feeling lonely or depressed, and can’t wait until it’s all over and the last sprig of mistletoe is packed away for another year.

Single and single again adults sometimes have a tough time during the Christmas season. For help and hope, read How to Survive the Holidays for Singles.

Sure, there are gifts and gatherings, carols and eggnog, decorations and stockings, but the JOY comes from remembering the birth of Christ, the Light of the World. Hope for all Mankind.


An angel appears to a young Mary, engaged to Joseph. Mary becomes pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. A mystery. A virgin birth.

Then, an angel appears to shepherds in the fields tending their sheep at night. That must have been a sight! The dark sky lit up by an angel telling them that the Christ child had been born. And the shepherds hurried to see the new baby.

Later on, kings visit the child and bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They followed a bright star and came to pay honor to the King of kings.

Read the story in Luke 2.

The absolutely wonderful, life-changing truth about Christmas is that we can celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ—a baby in a manger who grew up and changed the world forever.


He is our LIGHT in the darkness (of darkened hearts and difficult times)

He is Immanuel, God WITH us. Not distant or far away. Here. With you.

He showed us how to live and LOVE each other.

He is our Savior. Christ died on Cross and rose again from death to life—victorious and alive! Why? To pay the price needed to redeem us (free us) from our sins and enable us to live forgiven and free.

Love came down to Earth to show us the way.

Eternity stepped into time so we could understand—and live forever with God, the One who loves us most. Joy on Earth, and forever in Heaven.

That is a fantastic reason to celebrate: God and sinners reconciled! The best gift ever. Joy to the World! The Lord has come.

The Christ child changed everything.

So take a read of this poem I wrote about the true meaning of Christmas. May it bless you and all you choose to share it with.


What is Christmas?

Christmas is where it all began,
An infant child who became a man.
Eternity came down so we could understand,
The child of Creator, the true Son of Man.

He was not unexpected, for the prophets foretold
The events that had happened would surely unfold.
Four hundred years later the miracle came,
The star over Bethlehem shone where He lay.

They came to attend Him from near and from far,
The shepherds and wise men who followed the star.
All were rejoicing that first Christmas night,
At the child of a virgin, a humbling sight.

So, what is the meaning of that first Christmas night?
Simply, He came to make everything right.
For the Child had a purpose in coming to Earth.
He came as a light and to give us new birth.

He gave us forgiveness and paid with His life.
What kind of love would pay such a price?
For death could not hold Him; He rose from that grave.
And freedom and life were the gifts that He gave.

No longer divided, no longer alone,
Because of His love the wall had come down.
Live free forever! O, what a gift!
Both now here on earth and forever with Him.

Wise men and angels followed Him then.
Wise men still seek Him, again and again.
— Jackie M. Johnson

May you still seek Him—and find the life-giving love, joy and peace of Jesus Christ at Christmas and always.

Merry Christmas!
Jackie

Resource

If you’re stressed or depressed, this book is packed with help and hope and short, relevant prayers you can pray on a variety of topics in tough times: Praying with Power When Life Gets Tough By Jackie M. Johnson




Photo credit (Christmas tree): Jonathan Borba, Pexels


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5 Keys to Having an Awesome Thanksgiving


Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Thanksgiving in America will be different for many people in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In many states, we have to navigate restrictions for limiting travel, wearing face coverings indoors, and gathering in smaller numbers.

While some people will gather in person, others will have virtual celebrations, or a combination of both.

Even the annual Thanksgiving Day parade in New York is virtual-only this year. No crowds for the first time ever. But you can still watch it online or on TV.

Indeed, whether you agree or disagree with the constraints, this year’s celebration will likely be one that we won’t soon forget.

So if you can’t go “over the river and through the woods” to grandmother’s house or condo, how can you still have an enjoyable turkey holiday?

You can remember why we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Choose to be thankful despite circumstances.

And enjoy the good things that are never cancelled, like: love, joy, hope, and peace.

Here are five key ideas to help you enjoy Thanksgiving Day in the time of COVID.

1. STAY HEALTHY. Stay informed and make wise decisions. As you know, every state has their own guidelines or mandates, but most health officials suggest wearing a mask (face covering) in public places, washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs, and staying home if you’re sick. Some suggest eating outdoors where possible (or opening windows for fresh air while eating indoors).

2. REMEMBER. Talk about personal Thanksgiving traditions from your past. It makes me happy to recall watching the Thanksgiving Day parade on TV as a child, while the luscious scents of baking pies and turkey wafted into the family room. Reminisce about the good times you’ve had on holiday’s past, and people you care about that make holiday gatherings special.

Remember why we celebrate this holiday. American Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November, is traditionally about food, family, friends and football. It’s also a time to give thanks to God for the gracious ways He has provided for us. He is faithful, and we are grateful.

You can also bring to mind the first Thanksgiving in 1621, nearly 400 years ago. Courageous men, women and children we call Pilgrims and the Wampanoag gathered at Plymouth Colony for three feast-filled days to celebrate their abundant harvest and give thanks to God for His bounty of blessings.

While many of us enjoy familiar holiday foods like turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, the people at the first Thanksgiving also gobbled up lobster, oysters, and eel.

3. PRAY. Take time to pray, at your holiday meal or another time on Thanksgiving Day. Whether you are blessed or in need, you can be grateful. Thank God for His goodness, His love for you, His provision, protection, and other attributes. Thank Him for what He has done, or has yet to do.

Gratefulness leads to joy! Psalm 107:1 reminds us to, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

Here is a short prayer you can use as you pray for your holiday meal.

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer
Lord, we come before you—humble and grateful—on this Thanksgiving Day. Thank you for the people gathered here. We ask You to bless this food and our time together today. May it be a peaceful and joyful time of celebrating Your abundance and Your provision. Keep us all safe and healthy. Bless those in need, and may our hearts find joy in helping others, as we are able. We give You thanks—on this holiday and always. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

You may also choose to “share thanks” at your holiday meal or afterwards. Each person can briefly share what he or she is thankful for, if they choose. In 2020, people seem to be grateful for the little things, the simple things, because our world has been changed in ways unexpected.

4. HELP OTHERS. The holidays are always a good time to reach out to help those in need. Of course, we can help any time of the year and also at Thanksgiving. Consider:


• Donating to your local food bank. These days, many places allow you to drop off donations without leaving your vehicle.


• Hosting a food drive at your church or place of employment.


• Serving food at local homeless shelter.


• Helping your neighbor (For example, if you’re shoveling snow on the sidewalk in front of your house, take the extra step to shovel the sidewalk in front of your neighbor’s house.)


• Reaching out to those who may be lonely. Don’t forget about the singles in your church or neighborhood, or military men and women who may not be able to travel home for the holiday.

Think about a friend with health issues who can’t leave the house.

Or the relative in a nursing home or long term care facility who hasn’t been able to leave their residence in months because of state mandates. Make a phone call. Or FaceTime. Or wave outside his or her window, if you can. Let them know they are not forgotten and that they are loved.

5. ENJOY. Lastly, turn off the news (even for the day) and enjoy the people you are with, the sumptuous food, and the good times. Make memories. Relax. Watch the game. Have good conversations. Play games. Take a walk. Decorate your Christmas tree. Take a nap. Connect virtually (call, text, Skype or FaceTime with far away family or friends).

So bring on the turkey and all the fixings. I’m ready for a day of thanks to the One who loves us most—and a grateful heart all throughout the year.

Happy Thanksgiving to You!


Jackie M. Johnson is an author and blogger who provides faith-based hope and encouragement to heal your heart and grow a better life.

Photo: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

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