Christmas Day Is Here!
While Christmas Eve is quiet and still in our house, Christmas Day is full of noise, activities, and love. My husband and I used to sleep under our Christmas tree so that we would wake up when the sun came up. Unfortunately, my body no longer enjoys sleeping on hard floors, so we abandoned that tradition a few years ago. One of my favorite things is going to bed after sitting by a fire and watching the lights on the tree twinkle. Getting up to prepare for a day full of traditions with my family is another favorite thing.
When our kids were little, they had to sit at the top of the stairs to wait for us to get ready. We set up the camera, and I brewed coffee for the adults. Once the picture was taken and the coffee was ready, they could come down. They would each find their area to open gifts.
Usually, the two girls would tell our son what his job was. Some years, it was to hand out presents; other times, it was to clean up the wrapping paper. He liked the years when he could enjoy himself while his sisters did the work.
Now that my kids are far from us and around the world, our Christmas will look very different. It will still be full of hope, faith, joy, and sometimes peace. We used to start the day by opening presents; now, we get a couple of cups of coffee and take the dogs for a walk. My husband and I wrap a gift or two for each other—nothing like when the kids are home.
Some years, our kids are all home. Other years, they celebrate elsewhere, and we get a call or possibly a Zoom call. It doesn’t matter where they are; I want to see them. I would love to hug them and spend all day with them, but time marches on. We tried to launch them out of the nest but not too far away. But God called them to other corners of the globe instead of down the street like we dreamed.
The Advent wreath reminds me of God’s faithfulness throughout every season of life. Lighting the Christ candle adds more light to our home. Five steady and bright candles remind us of God’s light. I pray that our home is a beacon for my kids to want to return to. Just as a lighthouse shines to guide ships to a haven, I pray my house will be a light to show God’s love to the world. Jesus is the Light of the World. Our wreath reminds us to welcome Christ.
Christmas is full of
hope, faith, joy, and peace.
God gives us hope, faith, joy, and peace daily, not just during Advent. The prophets shared the hope, faith, joy, and peace of following God. Some churches add the Christ Candle to the center on Christmas Eve. It represents the indescribable Gift of Jesus’ birth. Jesus did not have to come to earth to save us; He chose to give His life for our sins. What a life-changing gift, one we can never repay or forget.
The Christ Candle reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World and that we should share Christ’s birth and His Second Coming.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
We are to encourage each other to look forward to Christ’s return. He will return with the angels to bring in His Kingdom. God will dwell with His people, and we will be sinless.
Scriptures for Christmas Day:
Luke 1:68-69
Matthew 5:14-16
John 8:12
1 John 4:9-10
Revelation 20:11-15
Hymns to sing or listen to:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O Come All Ye Faithful
Joy To the World
Hark the Herald Angels
Silent Night, Holy Night
Questions to Discuss
What is one favorite gift you have received?
What is a Christmas Day tradition you enjoy?
Have you accepted the indescribable gift of salvation? If not, what is stopping you?
Read aloud one of the stories of Jesus’ birth. These are found in Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20 or Matthew 1:18-25.
How can you share the meaning of Christmas with those around you?
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