When I was a child, Christmas held a special wonder. I don’t recall believing in Santa, so it was never that. But it was a time of family togetherness, watching Christmas movies, decorating the tree, hanging stockings, sledding, snowball fights, building snow forts, buying (or making) and wrapping gifts. Christmas lights transformed the snowy landscape. Christmas songs seemed to follow me everywhere I went. Decorated cookies, candy canes, and hot cocoa were regularly available. And people wore a special smile with “Merry Christmas” on their lips. Life seemed magical.

As I got older, Christmas still held a special appeal. It was a time when people put away their issues and came together with gifts. But it wasn’t quite like it was when I was a child. Christmas presents cost money, snow was a nuisance, and I wasn’t following Jesus.

When I returned to Christ, Christmas took on new meaning and the magic of God come to earth as a baby…for us…hit my soul on a completely different level.

Believe.

I’d always taken that word around Christmas time to mean belief in Santa. Which wasn’t the case for me. But, as a renewed believer in the God who would send His Son for us, the word “Believe” at Christmas warmed me to my soul. I then understood the magic of the word.

“Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.'” – John 20:29

Which is why I hate to admit that I’ve been sorely lacking Christmas spirit this year.

I could blame the fact that we had three snow days before Thanksgiving and, like the flowers, I’m confused. It feels like spring should be on it’s way thought winter hasn’t officially hit.

I could blame the fact that I’ve been home, more isolated that usual, and haven’t had others to share their Christmas cheer as I did when I worked at the church.

I could blame the fact that I’ve been a Christ follower for years now and believing is part of my daily routine, which makes it hard to summon anything more special for a season.

There are many things I could blame. But that’s being lame (get it?:)).

Anyway…this past weekend my church had a Christmas night of worship. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t want to go. But I knew I needed to. So I went.

My friends showed up with their four month old baby. They let me hold him while singing songs about Christ’s birth. It was then…praising my God, singing Christmas worship songs about the birth of His Son while holding a little baby…the Christmas Spirit filled me anew.

I was obedient to do what I knew God wanted me to do…and He was faithful to refresh my soul.

“He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” – Psalm 103:5

“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” – Romans 5:5

Want to be filled with the Christmas spirit? Read the following verses anew and meditate on them. Then praise God.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

“So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” – John 1:14

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” – Matthew 1:23

Now go sing some Christmas carols and have a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

You are loved,

J F Rogers