Christmas is a special time. For us, it is one of two major highlights we have a family along with our annual summer vacation to the beach. We countdown to the beach then we countdown to Christmas, only to countdown to the beach once again… And every year, for both events, the wait is worth it. Both times live up the hype. But, even then, there are times where it feels like we can squeeze a little more out of it. Not because we could “do more,” but because our posture entering the season could be better.

Here's a few thoughts on what would improve our Christmas posture this holiday season.

Lean into Expectancy and Anticipation

The entire Christmas season is built on expectation and anticipation. Growing up, we anticipate what gifts might be under the tree for us. We anticipate relatives coming into town and brand-new rhythms that don’t revolve around school schedules. We look out the window every morning expecting snow to fall and possibly bring us a white Christmas. The whole season is not just a season of waiting, but waiting with expectation.

The first Christmas was the same, but with eternal implications. The Jewish people has been waiting with expectation and anticipation for generations longing for the coming Messiah that would free them from Roman occupation. They waited and longed for this Savior until that day when he was finally born in that Bethlehem manger.

The Christmas season is a season set apart for expectancy and anticipation. In a fast-paced world, we are often tempted to run away from these feelings. We don’t want to wait, even if the waiting is for something good. What if we leaned into expectancy and anticipation rather than shielding ourselves from it? What if we resolved to be willing to wait because we are expecting God to do a good thing for is? What if we put our faith into practice and believed that the waiting is good and forming something in us? If we refuse to wait, we miss out of expectancy and anticipation. We miss out on what God could be doing in our midst.

Embrace Joy

Scripture repeatedly refers to the birth of Jesus as an event of “great joy.” It was a moment to rejoice and be glad! I am convinced that the joy was even more exceedingly great because it came on the other side of generations of waiting. But even in moments of “great joy,” we have a decision to make: will we fully embrace joy, or will we be simply glad for a moment only to move on to the next one?

In a never-stopping, fast-paced word, joy can be fleeting because the grass always seems greener on the other side. The great joy is indeed great, but our posture is constantly onto the next great thing so we refuse to allow ourselves to be fully immersed into the joy that we are experiencing. Our minds have become wired to miss the joy because we believe that our joy is always greater in what’s to come. But what if this joy was a gift meant to be embraced here and now for our pleasure? What if this joy was a gift from our Creator for us to enjoy and bask in?

May we have the posture of the wise men who “rejoiced exceedingly” at the sight of the star that would lead them to their Savior in the manger. They didn’t just rejoice, but they pursued the source of their joy. They “fell down and worshipped” Jesus and gave him gifts.

I worry that the 2025 posture would have been to simply be happy the star is there, take a picture, and go find the next things to bring us joy without embracing it and celebrating it. This year, embrace the things that bring you joy, and recognize them as the gift that they are. They are gifts from your Creator meant for your enjoyment and pleasure. Enjoy them and worship the One who gave them to you!

Welcome Reflection

The week between Christmas and New Years is one of our family’s favorite weeks of the year. Simply, it’s a week of rest from a busy holiday season and a week to hit the reset button as a family. Usually, it involves getting the house settled, spending a ton of time together as a family, and dreaming about the upcoming year. One of my favorite things to do during this week is to reflect on the previous year before it ends. I am a naturally nostalgic person, so reflecting is something I do regularly, especially at the end of the year.

This Christmas season, welcome times of reflection in your life. Look back and see the good, bad, and mundane of this year. See how the Lord was present in them and is continuing to work in them. Too often, we neglect the practice of reflection. Part of this may be that we are already focused on what’s next and “don’t have time to look back.” It may also be that the past year was painful, and scars haven’t fully healed yet so we’re afraid to reopen some wounds. While, looking forward and healing are important, I’m not sure can fully do either one of those without a proper season of reflection.

Reflect in community with those you love, seek to find the work of God in those reflections, and remember that those moments are in the past. Those moments have passed, and your Savior was with you in them just as He is now. Give Him thanks for the moments filled with joy and gladness and praise Him for how he carried you through the moments filled with pain and sadness. He is the same through each one.

My prayer for you is that this Advent season would be one of renewal in your heart, soul, and mind. Renewal is a joyous and, at times, difficult work. But it’s always good. Leaning into the work of God is always good and right and worth it. Resolve in your heart to lean into what He’s doing.