Devotionals for the Heart: How to make a Christmas to remember

How to Experience the Wonder of Christ’s Presence This Christmas
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”— Matthew 2:9-11 (NIV)

We’ve all heard it said a thousand times that Christmas is the most wonderful time of year, but for many of us, the holiday rush only magnifies our grief, disappointment, and loneliness.

I’ve been on my own since my parents passed away several years ago. As an only child, I’m used to it, but I often feel like an orphan longing for somewhere to call home. While everyone else has a place to celebrate this month, I am content sitting before the fireplace with a bowl of popcorn and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

I’ll admit that I sometimes lose sight of the Christmas story when mine disappoints me. Don’t get me wrong. I love shopping, sipping hot chocolate, attending parties, and singing carols. Still, when I feel like my Christmas plans are not enough, Jesus Christ reassures me that His presence always is.

Christmas is less about finding the perfect gift and more about encountering Jesus with the same wonder the three wise men experienced that cold, starry night.

Imagine the anticipation as they followed the star to Bethlehem on their journey to meet the newborn King promised centuries before. When they arrived with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, it was clear they spared no expense to honor Him.

As you reflect on that miraculous night, imagine being present at the manger worshipping Jesus. Dictionary.com defines the word "present" as:

1. a thing presented as a gift: Christmas presents.

2. focused on or involved in what one is doing at a particular moment.

Jesus Christ entered this world not so we could cross everything off our lists, but so we could receive His invitation to join His forever family.

If, like me, your heart longs for more this season, escape the holiday rat race for a moment and sit at the feet of Jesus. You’ll find you don’t have to be a wise man to make this a Christmas to remember.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, when I compare my Christmas to everyone else’s, help me remember that the reason I celebrate is because Your Son (Jesus Christ) came to this Earth to be my Savior and Lord. When the world tempts me to focus on earthly treasures, Christ is the greatest gift of all, and the joy I feel when I enter His presence is always enough for me. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Light A Candle” by AVALON. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s interest in writing began in grade school when her poem was published in the local paper. Since then, she has written for her college newspaper and two community newspapers where she wrote restaurant reviews and articles for their ‘best of’ spread.

 

Her experience as an administrator in the marketing field gave her the opportunity to write ads for a local business journal.

After a 20-year detour and a three-year season of adversity, God reignited her passion to write. Two divine appointments later, the short story she wrote about her father appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and a short story about her cocker spaniel Gigi was published in Mysterious Ways by Guideposts. She believes her adversity was worth the lessons God taught her.

Sarah's devotionals have been published in David C. Cook’s The Quiet Hour and Devotions, The Secret Place by Judson Press, and Pray a Word a Day by Guideposts. Her short story will be featured in an upcoming book, Too Amazing For Coincidence, also to be published by Guideposts. To this day, Sarah smiles, pinches herself and gives God all the glory.

When she's not writing, she's enjoying her hobbies that include dog sitting, watching cooking shows and taking day trips.

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Connect with Sarah:
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