Every Christmas season our family loves to change into our cozy pajamas, grab a warm beverage and hop into our minivan. Often, we invite a couple friends along and our dog, too! We turn on the Christmas tunes and crank the heat.
Then we drive. Actually, I’d say we meander … we cruise … we joyride—all over town. We drive through (or by) neighborhoods, city streets and monuments all in search of seeing the best Christmas decorations and brightest lights. It’s simple and spontaneous—full of delight, joy and anticipation.
To me, this Christmas tradition is such a snapshot of our lives and our hope in Christ.
As humans—we have so many needs. Envision our family jumping into our minivan. Our pajamas are probably mismatched, we’re cold and we’re spilling hot chocolate. We’ll probably get lost in a couple subdivisions and argue about which way to turn.
Yet in the gift—and chaos—of the journey (our joyride as we look for lights), we find beauty, we enjoy each other and we anticipate what is ahead (in the next neighborhood or city street).
This is our human experience. We need help … we’re searching for hope … we long to be whole … we need a Savior! And it’s why I’m eager with anticipation about Christmas and for all that is ahead for each one of us who personally knows Jesus.
Scripture
Psalm 62:5 - Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
Luke 2:15 - When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
1 John 3:2-3 - Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
Prayer
Dear God—thank you, Jesus! For coming to earth as a baby. For the grace, love and life you give. And for the incredible future we know is certain. We eagerly await, and we worship you.
You can read the rest of our team's Christmas traditions on the blog.
