The Most Wonderful Time

He will not judge by appearance
nor make a decision based on hearsay.
He will give justice to the poor
and make fair decisions for the exploited.
The earth will shake at the force of his word…

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Families come together, co-workers gather and friends celebrate.

Except this year.

Families might not come together, co-workers aren’t gathering, and friends may not celebrate. But in the simplicity of this season, we still wait.

Anticipation.

Unlike any other time of the year, Christmas has an entire season leading up to a celebration of one day, the day. From the youngest child to their great-grandparents, the excitement builds each day, awaiting what is coming at the end of the road.

Waiting.

Knowing some kind of celebration is on the way, we anticipate the day, knowing what is to come.

christmas countdown 01

All of these journeys mirror the reason we celebrate in the first place.

The #ChristmasCountdown2020 will take us on a journey, remembering the story behind the story and the meaning behind the great traditions of this most wonderful time of the year.

Throughout this season, we wait in the same way Mary and Joseph prepared for the birth of their son, Jesus. Christ. Others had waited for years, decades, even centuries, knowing “He” would come one day.

The Prophet Isaiah talked long before Christ’s arrival about the day he would come, and what he says should ignite a new passion in us during this season.

What if you found a renewed passion this Christmas season? What if a spark lit inside you that carried you beyond this December and into the new year?

Imagine journeying through the whole season without judgement or harsh words.

Imagine your season full of joy from not only sharing but giving justice to the poor and making fair decisions for the exploited.

The force of Isaiah’s words give power and expectation to why Jesus was coming. Little did they know the baby they expected would be wrapped in cloths, laying in a manger when they laid eyes on Him for the first time.

Countdown to Christmas together this year. Live with expectation. With your neighbors. With your co-workers. With your family. With your classmates.

It will look much different than it ever has before, but what if that “different” helps spark something new?

Start the journey today. Commit to how you focus your energy this season, and let the Reason for the Season guide each step.

  • Encourage and lift up without judgment.
  • Give generously to those around you.
  • Meet someone new and listen to their story.
  • Stand up for someone.

The beauty of the season comes when we focus our energy on each other and those we don’t know. The season allows us to do something we would never otherwise do.

Spend the #ChristmasCountdown2020 together with someone and share the joy of the season.

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
He will delight in obeying the Lord.

He will not judge by appearance
nor make a decision based on hearsay.
He will give justice to the poor
and make fair decisions for the exploited.

The earth will shake at the force of his word,
and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.
He will wear righteousness like a belt
and truth like an undergarment.

Isaiah 11:2-5

Want to come along on the #ChristmasCountdown2020? Bookmark this page to follow the #ChristmasCountdown2020 every day!