flip and switch

What is the one thing you can't go without at Christmas?

If you can't think of something right away, I'd encourage you to take a moment, pause from reading, and really think about what it is that you can't go without at Christmas- what "makes it Christmas" for you?

I grew up going to Catholic school, but my family didn't really go to church that often. If we did, it was in spurts, or around the holidays. I'm not knocking my parents-- the Catholic Church services weren't really geared towards little kids, so that had to factor in... and I can't imagine trying to sit through service with my kids.... anyways!

Despite not always having regular attendance, or even fully grasping everything that went on during the services, for me, it wasn't Christmas without going to church. Sure, we got to wear the super fancy dresses, tights and shoes, stop by gramma and grampa's house after, then maybe open a gift, then wake up to the magic. 

But even though the message was catered to the adults, there was a nativity scene up front that we could go see baby Jesus. THAT PART of church was the most special, and it was for me. I knew who Jesus was, what He was sent to earth to do even though I didn't deserve it, and what He had to go through in order for my (and your) debt to be paid. IN FULL. So to be able to go up front and "see" Jesus, so fragile... He was a BABY after all, it just filled my heart with the true meaning of Christmas.

I remember praying lots of different prayers as a kid. Around Christmas time, (my parents did Santa) I remember asking God to have Santa bless the kids who were less fortunate with gifts, but I also remember pleading with God to provide warmth to those who were cold, forget the hunger if they are hungry. I was still pumped to have all the gifts from Santa under the tree, but I knew deep down what it was really about. 

As I got older, I kind of faded in and out of churches. If I had one where I lived I'd go occasionally, otherwise it was just church at home if I was back. Holidays like Easter became more about the commercial stuff and a mention of Jesus, where Christmas became commercial, with the attendance of church a few weeks leading up to, and after Christmas. It wasn't until I got saved in 2014 things changed, and Easter, Christmas, and everything in between started to become more and more about Him. 

This year we were supposed to travel out of state to visit family for Christmas. We weren't sure about when we were going exactly- we had a few things we had to take care of before we could go- but there was ONE condition I had: No matter what, we were watching church online. 

(*Of course I would love to go!! I know that there are lots of churches out there who have childcare for services on Christmas Eve, mine does! But due to some special needs, we can't just attend any church, or any service, and feel safe or confident those needs will be met and met well. :) )

Even if I had to watch it from my couch, or someone else's couch, I was going to be with my family, and watch someone speak God's Word. 

Due to some insane sickness running rampant through the house, we weren't able to travel. We stayed home. Due to those special needs I mentioned, we still weren't able to attend our church, but we could watch online. Whatever happened and wherever we were; we were going to be together on Christmas Eve to watch church. 

Jesus is just so amazing.. so Awesome. His story, what He left behind to come here.... I mean that is LOVE. 

We don't do a ton as far as gifts for Christmas anyway, but this year any gifts they did get were very intentional and thought out. We also made sure we were including the kids (as much as each could understand) in giving to those who were in need. Operation Christmas Child and picking up tags for kids in the area who were looking for some gifts really brought hope and fulfillment to my weary heart. 

I think it's so important to be keeping Christ in Christmas. I mean, Christ is WHY we have Christmas so it seem a tad obvious.... but also because as the world continues to try to snuff Him out (never gonna happen... but they still try.), we have to continue to go INTO the world, and reflect Jesus's love to light up the darkness.  We need to help those who need it, and show the love of Jesus to everyone. We need more Christ. We need to be imitating Christ, following His example. (1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 11:1)

We need to honor and celebrate Christmas. 

YES to Merry Christmas! But as the year wraps up and a new year begins, let's START STRONG. Let's go from Celebrating Christ's birth, to celebrating His sacrifice and the greatest gift of all with a good ole' flip and switch:

MAS CHRIST! More Christ!  

Let's not be afraid to speak His mighty name! Let us not cower when we are met with opposition, or are questioned. May we stand tall in the Truth and POWER that is our LORD and Savior- JESUS! May the year 2025 be a year we are discipling out of LOVE and answering our calls- our INDIVIDUAL, UNIQUE calls, to love our neighbors and share the Gospel in ways only WE can. That right there is a HUGE reason why we can't ignore those calls and nudges from the Spirit. 

So in the spirit of Christmas, let's honor, remember, cherish and celebrate the birth of our Lord. And in the spirit of being a follower of Jesus, let's really LIVE for Him this year, the whole other 364 days of the year. 

More of Him. Less of Me. A lot less. 

YOU are the 1 He left the 99 for. Let's grow this flock.