A Christmas Blessing to Help You See What Matters
In the midst of tinsel and torn paper tomorrow, may we remember the greatest gift ever wrapped is a baby in swaddling clothes. May our hearts thump with the excitement of a child when we behold Him, fully God even as a babe.
Before we baste a turkey or bake that passed-down pie recipe, may we bend at the knee to honor the King of Kings. For a moment, may we still to feel the weight of glory, of God bending near. May we come with reverence and expectancy, praise Him with surrendered posture.
As our doors swing with coming and going, keep our hearts open so we don’t miss God’s invitation to come near simply because we love Him.
Where there’s absence–of peace, of a person, of a present we couldn’t afford–may we sink into the embrace of the Prince of Peace. In His presence we find the present of unshakeable peace.
When exhaustion overtakes, may we remember that rest doesn’t have to be earned, that goodness and fruitfulness overflow from a soul revived by a deep drink of Christ, our Living Water.
When we’re tempted to grouch or grumble, may we choose gratitude and see how it turns us back to Him. As we name the good gifts and the hard gifts and ones in-between that don’t look like anything yet, may we become speechless before a God with a never-changing nature.
As we light the last Advent candle, the Christ candle, may our hearts be light with joyful hope. For God is in the business of redeeming and restoring and revealing Himself, all in the perfectly right time.
As we place baby Jesus in the nativity manger, may we pause to whisper thanks–for busting through the ugly and broken to find us. For stooping low to get on eye level with us. For feeling our pain as a fellow human and also, as God, for stepping in to save us (Ezekiel 34:22). For His constant attentiveness and consistent love. His compassion and unfathomable kindness. His patience and His presence–the finest, infinite present.
PIN This Christmas Blessing
P.S. Prefer the audio? Subscribe to The Uncommon Normal podcast for the same weekly content!
Need Word-Of-The-Year Ideas?
Maybe you’ve got an inkling of what your word for next year needs to be. There’s a thread that keeps popping up. A misplaced belief being challenged. You know that thing God’s asking you to let go or reorder, and it scares you. But the perfect word to describe all of it? Not there yet.
I’ve been there most years, praying through a running list of ideas on my phone, still unsure. Last year, I took my own advice. Slowly read through the list I’d compiled of 200 word of the year ideas. Noted the ones that gave me pause. Prayed some more. Then narrowed down to one.
Whether you’ve been thinking about your word for next year for a while, or not at all yet, I hope the list of word ideas is super helpful. It’s free, and you can grab it below.
Once you know your word, I encourage you to write it down. Tell your spouse, a neighbor, an accountability partner or dear friend the word you’re carrying with you in 2025. Then, put the word somewhere obvious, like a phone wallpaper, to remind you to lean in daily.
Also, because I know how a word can get swept up or blurry without a rhythm of reflection, along with the word list, you get monthly reflection sheets. Spend ten minutes with the questions at the end of each month to accelerate your word-of-the-year growth.
