How to Have a Holly, Jolly, Holy Christmas

DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Guest blogger: Rachael Colby @RachaelColby7

I read Rachael Colby’s article on Christmas, and I wanted to share it with you. Rachael is an excellent writer and good friend. I know you’ll enjoy how she made her Christmas extra special.

How to Have a Holly, Jolly, Holy Christmas

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Every year I try to figure out how to juggle writing, family, and church, without dropping the ball before Christmas is added to the list. My first impulse is to run and hide from the whole messy madness called Christmas in America. Usually, I keep busy procrastinating to avoid it all.

This year is different, though. By July, I already had a box full of books as gifts for my grandkids. And in August, I was already working on my Christmas articles sprinkled with the expected pinch of merry rather than waiting and dashing for the midnight hour. The last time I was this early was when I was born six weeks prematurely.

’Tis the season for giving—and forgiving. There’s no greater gift to give than the message of truth wrapped in love. Especially when that Truth and Love is God incarnate—Jesus—born to die so we could live, to provide forgiveness and reconcile us to Himself.

The Prophecy:

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

The Fulfillment:

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:21-23)

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11)

Wrapped in white and tied with red ribbon, Jesus offers the gift of Himself, His mercy, grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love. He won’t force Himself on us. Even if we put Him off or reject Him, Jesus leaves the gift of Himself on the table.

What a trade—our sin for the Savior’s salvation! He spent Himself to purchase our forgiveness. That’s costly—living and giving and dying for others, laying down His life from first to last breath.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed. (Luke 4:18)

Hallelujah and amen.

“Happy birthday, Jesus. But Lord, as the song says, ‘I have no gift to bring, pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.’”

Jesus reminds me we can bring our bad and broken things. We can give Him our anger, our hurt, our bitterness, our broken hearts, broken promises, broken lives and dreams—our sin. We can give Him our praise. But even then, it’s with His help. I often pray, “God, give me words to praise you.”

It’s easy to praise when things go well. But praise is most precious when we offer it in hard times. He is most worthy of praise in every season, in fair and stormy weather.

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15)

He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:3)

Anything of value I offer to God, whether abilities, gifting, or resources, is giving back what is already His: that which He graced me with. Jesus working His good in and through me.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

Even repentance is a gift from God.

Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31)

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)

“Thank you, Lord.”

So, I was thinking, what if we gave ourselves fully to Christ? Our self-will, our selfishness. What if we brought the gift of another soul to the cross, to Christ, for Christmas?

What if, as we remember the miracle of the babe laid in the manger, we laid ourselves at the foot of the cross?

Are we willing to gift ourselves to others? The perfect gift is Christ Himself. The next best thing to give is of ourselves: our time and talents, an understanding ear, an open and forgiving heart—and not just for a day.

In all the hurry and scurry of the season, it’s easy to get caught up stuffing ourselves and our loved ones with more stuff and still come up empty, because real fulfillment is only found in Christ. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of finding presents, let’s remember to pause and enjoy His presence. And hey, don’t forget to throw a little jingle in the kettle as you rush home with your treasures, and don’t forget Who the real Treasure is—Christ in us.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Believing for a white Christmas for you and me.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Wishing you a holly, jolly, holy Christmas. God bless. Do you have spiritual insight to share?

 

Rachael M. Colby has a heart for reconciliation and a passion to uplift those who serve in tough places. She writes to connect cultures’ questions with Christianity’s answers, inspire faith, and motivate.

This Jamaican-born, multi-genre award winning writer, wife, and mom resides in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, runs on chocolate and a whole lotta “Help me, Jesus,” and blogs at TattooItOnYourHeart.com.

X: https://x.com/RachaelColby7   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachael.colby.9

 

Thank you, Rachael!

 

Comments 35

  1. DiAnn, thank you for sharing Rachel’s wonderful article! Lots of good food for thought.

    DiAnn, may you especially feel God’s love and peace during this first CHRISTmas as a widow!

    May we celebrate Jesus during this CHRISTmas season! Blessings!

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  2. Oh, how wonderful. And Rachael is one of the most wonderful encouragers I know. Love her so, and love this post. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    2. Maureen—beautiful soul, beautiful writer, beautiful friend. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I thank God for you and how you reflect the SON. Love you so. Thank you for reading.

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  3. This year I’ve escaped much of the commercialism by concentrating on the miracle of our Savior’s birth. Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 7:14, and Micah 5:2 refresh our hope and eager expectation for the Messiah’s return. Those prophets lived in expectant assurance despite not viewing their prophecies fulfilled. We believe in Immanuel, our Hope of Glory. Merry Christmas

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  4. Our presence is way more important than presents. Many people are going through a rough Christmas season – it is key to reach out & listen. We can practice being tender-hearted with God’s help.

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  6. Thank you for sharing this.
    I’m in the ‘Winter’ of my life , a widow of 2 years , I struggle with the “what if ,what’s next ” ?
    God bless you and may you and your family have a Holly Jolly Holy Christmas .

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    2. I’m so sorry for your loss and your struggle, Sharon. I’ll be praying that the God of all comfort will comfort like only He can and fill you with His peace as you walk this road with Him. He knows the plans He has for you, and they are good. Have a blessed Christmas.

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  7. Lovely article, DiAnn.mthanks for sharing Rachel’s post.
    We always start our Christmas morning playing The Hallelujah Chorus and standing to honor Jesus. Actually, my husband starts playing the Chorus on a CD and I am not allowed to leave the bedroom until it starts playing. I never know the exact moment it will start, so the anticipation is wonderful.

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    2. Scripture is so alive, so rich. It’s always speaking, reminding us of what is most important—Jesus. Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful Christmas, Terry.

      And yes, DiAnn is such a blessing.

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  9. I like to listen to Christmas music and it gives me so much joy. I also think of Jesus and how I am so very thankful to have HIM in my life. Another thing – I enjoy giving the church staff a small gift of appreciation. There is so much to be thankful for now and throughout the year.

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    2. As a little girl, I used to twirl across my grandmother’s living room floor exuberantly singing Christmas carols. One of my favorites—“The Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah.

      Amen, grateful for the joy of knowing Jesus. Have a blessed Christmas, Linda.

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    2. Thank you, Melissa. Blessing to you. And amen.

      “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

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