The primary program is structured around 15 seminars of which you can choose three to help you get ready to have kingdom conversation with your friends and neighbors using the platform of the Christmas holidays.
It got me thinking - if I were planning this for me, what would those sessions include?
1) How to last through the Christmas Eve service without having the people sitting around you give you the nasty eyes because your child is screaming about how her taffeta dress itches her?
2) Lessons in kindly explaining to the indulging grandparent that "no, he can't eat that cake even though it's a special occasion because the food dye in it doesn't know it's a special occasion and it will still wreak havoc on his neurological and emotion functions for days"
3) How to set a stunning Christmas table using plastic plates and silverware
4) How to re-purpose your Christmas sweater from the past 5 years so it doesn't look like the same sweater from the past 5 years. If you can actually find that sweater.
5) Choosing the right gift for your mother in law. Or father.
6) Planning a Christmas meal that your children will eat that isn't shaped like dinosaurs
7) Taming the tigers for the annual family photo
8) Winning the competition for giving the best class party favors and teacher gift without breaking the bank
I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. For a lot of us, what starts as a time to celebrate an amazing and holy event turns into a race against…ourselves, our expectations, our neighbors, and the world's "vision" of what Christmas should look like.
My oldest and very wise daughter pointed out that it's ok to like to make a special day "special" and I love that perspective. Because it is a very special day - and setting it aside and honoring the holiness of the day is so important.
So when my children and I bake cookies (ok….buy cookies) for the neighbors, I will pray for each family that this little sugar filled gesture will remind them of the sweetness of the babe in the manger
As we decorate our tree, we will talk about each of the ornament and what they mean to our family.
When we plan our meals, they will include those who need some extra Christmas love in their lives - and especially the ones that are hard to love.
I will not bow to the Pinterest definition of Christmas and feel badly that my children aren't bringing handmade cleverly crafted Christmas presents for each of their classmates - instead, we will take that money and give to someone in need.
Women - we don't need seminars to show us how to love extravagantly at Christmastime (or any other time). We don't need tables set perfectly or the right song or drink or cute appetizer or dessert. We don't need the perfect gift or drink or decoration. We don't need any of it - and God certainly doesn't delight in those things. Please - someone - show me the scripture that says I need to do ANY of that to be equipped to talk about the Kingdom.
For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory
God desires willing hearts and available hands - and He will use our messy houses and our instant hot chocolate with a few sad marshmallows floating in them accompanied by store bought Chips Ahoy to show His Glory. He delights in YOU - not your house, your decorations, your gift giving ability, your craftiness or your meal planning and execution skills.
Me. He delights in me and you.
THAT is the message of the gospel that needs to be shared at Christmas. No seminar required - just a heart for Jesus.
