My husband is counting down the days and regularly lets people know how many days and weeks it is til…not our next holiday, someone’s graduation, or a special friend visiting. Nope, he’s counting down the days till Christmas. It is now 179 days until Christmas. Why does he do this? Because in our house we love Christmas.
We love Christmas because it’s a day set apart to remember and be thankful for Jesus and all that He has done for us.
We love Christmas because it’s a day dedicated to giving and blessing others, and it draws friends and family together as we all make an extra effort to get along.
We love Christmas because you get to eat your favourite things, on your best dishes, with all your creative decorating ideas being laid out on the table and around your home.
We love Christmas because it’s awesome to watch the the kids so full of excitement and joy.
We love Christmas because we get to have fairy lights, candles, music and lovely things all day long.
It makes me wonder why don’t we celebrate a little more like it’s Christmas everyday?
So what if tomorrow we got up and effort into the day being special, joy filled and special for ourselves, our friends and family, even just a little like we do on Christmas day?
What if we took the time to give thanks to God for all that He has done and read His word, and treasured its message just like we do at Christmas time. What if we took the time to read it as a family, recounting the excitement, lessons and meaning held within its pages?
What if we played games and ate around the table together, letting each other know how important and special they are to us, just like we hopefully do on Christmas day. What if we make the extra effort with those in our world, every day like we do on celebration days?
Consider for a moment the things you love about Christmas, (or would like to love about Christmas). Then decide to duplicate those things throughout the whole year? Why not bring a touch of Christmas’ joy, love and peace into every day of the year?
Here’s a few ideas to help get you started:
1. One of the best ways to celebrate everyday is to create a party atmosphere at home. Fill your home with flowers and music and just have a good time. Jesus said “He came to give us a full and abundant life,” (John 10:0) which means we have heaven’s permission to make the whole of our life a party and celebration if we want to. It’s okay to celebrate every day!
2. Dance, sing, and celebrate. When we share our enthusiasm and make the effort to celebrate it spreads joy to others.
3. Be spontaneous and break the routine that can so easily crowd out the sense of celebration in all of us. Remind yourself just how wonderful life can be. We all have something to celebrate, it’s just that sometimes we have to let ourselves relax and let go enough to enjoy life and if need be change our attitude.
4. Draw close to Jesus, read His words, think about why He came, and get to know Him more deeply for yourself. For it’s in knowing and being connected to Him that we find the true source of joy, and completeness. It’s in Him that we find the reason and ability to celebrate like its Christmas everyday, as His love is shed abroad in our hearts.
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. For at just the right time, while we werestill powerless, Christ died for ” (Romans 5:5-6)
So grab the fairy lights, turn the music on, and set the table for mealtimes as if you were having a celebration. Enjoy your food and treat yourself every now and then, like it’s Christmas. Bless those in your world, even buy them a gift, send a card or message them just because you can. And most of all celebrate and get to know Jesus – the one whom Christmas is all about in the first place!
Let’s not wait another 179 days till it’s actually Christmas day to tell the special people in your life what they mean to you, because each day is in fact a gift from God to be enjoyed.
Prayer: Lord please help me to stay connected to you, so that your life and joy flows into my life. I want to celebrate life, like it’s Christmas everyday. Show me where I may need to change my attitude, or need healing so that I can look forward to every day just like it’s Christmas everyday. In Jesus Name Amen.
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