Have a Blessed Christmas! (#ChristmasEve)

Tomorrow is Christmas Day around the world. I am honored and humbled to be the one posting a blog post today on InspyRomance. Little me! What should I write about? Let me count the many ways that I can say “Have a blessed Christmas!”

For sure, Christians are really blessed. To begin with, God didn’t have to save us, but He chose to. He didn’t have to send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay off our sin debt, but He did.

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Do you have a family Christmas tradition?

When my son was little, we tried to start a new family tradition of reading the Christmas story every year and singing “Happy birthday!” to Jesus before blowing out the candle and cutting a little cake for Him. We did that for a few years. Alas, as my son grew up and went to college, the new tradition didn’t stick. Today, due to dieting in an empty nest, cakes are out of the question.

Still, in my heart, I rejoice that we can set aside a special time of the year — December in this case — to celebrate the earthly birthday of our King of kings and Lord of lords, although historic records might have placed His birthday in the fall (autumn) rather than winter. Regardless, the fact that Jesus was born on earth at all is the main thing. He is the reason for the season.

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

How does your Christmas celebration look like?

This year is special to me because I love Christmas on Sundays. It’s been a while since these two days are the same, so I am excited about it. Our church isn’t canceling Sunday morning services on December 25. In fact, we’re thrilled that Christmas Day is on a Sunday in 2022. How is your church celebrating Christmas on a Sunday?

Otherwise, our celebration is low-key. We do have a Christmas tree, but since we’re still unpacking (like months after we have moved to our new home LOL) there is very little space for any other decoration. I won’t be able to set up my Christmas tree village this year, for example. But it’s okay. Decorating should be stress-free, in my opinion. As they say, “Have a Mary Christmas, not a Martha Christmas!”

“And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her'” (Luke 10:41-42).

Do you cook at lot at Christmas?

Our family dinner is usually on Christmas Eve. By the time this blog post goes out, I would be busy in the kitchen, though I plan to balance it out by ordering pre-cooked dishes more than I cook on my own. Our family is getting older and it makes sense not to slave away in the kitchen anymore, right?

For me, it’s physically not practical. It’s hard on my feet, for example, to stand for hours in my kitchen. I had oak floors in my kitchen in the old house, but in my new-to-us house, I now have hard tile floors.

Otherwise, I love to roast my brined turkey at Thanksgiving and Christmas! Maybe some day when I feel suddenly free, I will do so. But until then, whatever I can outsource to the local grocery store or farmer’s market, I do. It helps the local businesses and farms to thrive as well. Glad to contribute to the local economy.

What’s your go-to Christmas movie or play?

Ah, time to read. Truth be told, the Christmas holidays are usually a busy time for me. However, as my husband and I became empty nesters, Christmas has become quieter for some reason. Maybe I will have more time to read more books between Christmas and the New Year.

What about your favorite Christmas movies? Maybe Hallmark or something? When we used to have cable TV, I remember the endless reruns of A Christmas Story (1983). You know, the one about the F-R-A-G-I-L-E lamp? Have you watched that before? How about that sweet romantic comedy, While You Were Sleeping? That movie made me smile every time I saw it.

I have watched A Christmas Carol on stage at least twice at our local theaters back when I lived in Georgia. Both of the plays were done well with Ebenezer Scrooge and all, but you know it’s not totally Christian, although Tiny Tim has the best line: “God bless us, every one!” Did you know that Charles Dickens wrote this novella in less than two months some 179 years ago? It was published on December 19, 1843, and the rest is secular history!

And your favorite Christmas book?

What’s your favorite Christian Christmas fiction book that you re-read every December? I have only one Christmas-themed book in my entire inventory. I wrote Wish You Joy (Savannah Sweethearts Book 9) years ago in order to participate in an old multi-author anthology boxed set. I haven’t written another Christmas story since, but it’s on my to-do list. One of these winters perhaps…

Most of all, my favorite Christmas book is still the Bible. Yes, I know you probably expected me to say that, but this is what I truly love to read every day, whether it’s Christmas or not.

“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).

May God bless you always!

At this Christmas time, as I reflect on all that the Lord has done, I am always in awe and amazement. My heart fills with thankfulness for Jesus Christ. I pray that God will bless you and your family now and always. If you have children or grandchildren, I pray that God will save them at an early age and protect them all the days of their lives.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!