No matter how traditional, sentimental or ordinary this Christmas may turn out to be, one thing’s for sure. Jesus stands apart from the tinsel to bring you a new message this year. Will you unwrap Him to find what it is?
A year ago, my son’s preschool put on a special Halloween concert for the parents. The kids dressed up in costume and sang an incredible number of songs that I never knew came with so many hand motions.
Before we started, the director offered an interesting comment in her welcome to the audience.
She said that despite what we think about Christmas, Halloween for kids is their favorite holiday of the year. It’s a chance for them to pretend and be anything they wanted, and have access to all that candy.
Hubby and I threw a bewildered glance at each other.
No. Way. Isn’t Christmas the best holiday of the year?
Where has Christmas gone?
As we countdown to December 25th, each of us are on a journey to return.
No matter how many Christmases we’ve celebrated, it happens every year. We look for a star to guide us and messages of Good News to bring us back to a place of joy, peace, and hope again.
We want to find Christ in our hearts again.
It’s the most magical time because God’s Gift — Jesus — makes His way back into our lives too.
Jesus stands behind this Christmas with a special message, just for you.
What will it be?
Sipping Our Holiday Brew
During the holiday season, Starbucks puts out their Christmas Blend, while Peet’s calls their blend of best-coffees-of-the-year their Holiday Blend.
Here at Faith Barista, I’m kicking off a special December series of holiday brew for us too: Unwrapping Jesus — A Celebration of Simplicity.
Every year, I start the season off with a question: What does Christmas mean to me this year?
I anticipate receiving new inspiration — a fresh take on the Gift of Jesus.
So, I’m making this journey again.
How are you returning to the heart of Christmas?
I’d love to hear how God is inspiring you, too.
Together, we can bring our hearts back to God and have them ready for the new year.
Most days will appear ordinary.
But, if we look deeper, we will find something sparkly in them.
Even one thought will do.
Take The Faith Barista Challenge: Unwrapping Jesus
If you’re looking to unwrap Jesus in a new way this month, join me and take the Faith Barista Challenge this month.
Keep a lookout for:
*1. Ways to celebrate Christmas simply.
*2. Inspiring moments that fill you with God’s love, joy, peace, or hope.
*3. Encouragement to see Christmas in a new way.
*4. A Fresh Take on the Gift of Jesus.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll get a special message you didn’t expect.
On second thought, if you take up the journey — I know you will.
“A Savior has just been born…
This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped…“
~ Luke 2:11-12
(A faith prompt for the shepherds)
To others, today is Cyber Monday.
But for sojourners of faith, we are pointing our hearts to December 25th.
The journey we are on is not shopping or doing more.
Jesus is who we want to see new and fresh this year.
Let’s embark on this journey to simplicity — and unwrap Jesus together.
Share what’s inspiring you about Christmas here at Faith Barista.
Especially on Thursdays.
Share Your Findings
Share Your FindingsEvery Thursday, I host a Faith Jam where we all write about different topics of faith.
For the month of December: We’ll be sharing our Unwrapping Jesus discoveries!
So, save your findings and publish them on Thursdays and link up.
If you don’t have a blog, just comment directly!
* Join the Faith Jam this Thursday 12/1 *
This Thursday’s 12/1 Topic: Your Hopes For Christmas
Publish your first Unwrapping Jesus post this Thursday.
Link up or simply comment at the end of Thursday’s post.
I am so excited to see what we all open up by Christmas morning. His gifts always arrives on time.
I’ll be praying we all get something special.
Click here to get the skinny on how to join the Faith Barista Jam! See you!
Grab the special Christmas Faith Barista Jam badge, just for December!
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Will take the challenge to Unwrap Jesus?
Let’s begin the journey to look for Jesus fresh this Christmas season together.
Pull up a chair. Click to share a comment.
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** Don’t miss Faith Barista’s Special December Series: Unwrapping Jesus! ** 
If you are new to Faith Barista, I’d like welcome you here. Click to subscribe by email and get each post in this series served up hot and fresh directly in your mailbox.
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14 Comments
We hear the various “Keep Christ in Christmas” sayings this time of year, but I think I like your idea better. This season has such a quiet wonder to it, and I love thinking about the many layers of meaning we can find in a simpler Christmas. Blessings to you!
Oh… you are a seeker, just like those shepherds looking for Jesus wrapped up… layers… it’ll be fun to share this month and think together, Amy!
Love you friend! I am trying to figure out ways to simplify gifts this year due to our small budget. Reading this has me thinking about the season and ways I encounter Jesus this Christmas.
Love you, too Katie! Simple is actually so much better. Honestly. Quick and makes it more joyful. Something happy. A joy reminder. Those really are the best.
I will have to depend on faith and simplicity this year. We are very close to losing our home, struggling each day to just get through. I am already tired of all the “buy this” ads and the corporate money hogs that ruin the holidays. God has gotten me through so far, and I hope that He will continue. For us, Christmas is just a bigger struggle than normal and makes for some very unhappy times.
Oh, Rebecca! I am SO sorry to hear that! *hugs* I wish this didn’t have to happen. I’m praying you and your family will receive special deep blessings of peace, as you really hang onto Jesus this season. Definitely forget about all that “buy this-buy that”. This is a season to find peace in the One who came when darkness was everywhere. Jesus will carry you through.
Your idea comes at the right time for me – God tends to do that!!!!! My daughter bought a book called Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas – God With Us. It has readings for each day of Advent. I look forward to finding out more about Jesus as I read each day and I’m looking forward to hearing what the rest of the community here discovers. Already I’m excited about Christmas!
I typically wouldn’t post a comment, I prefer to read & allow the words to draw me closer to myGod. However today is different, God has literally made me be still. I’m holding my 3 yr old at his school, while I closely monitor him. He is taking a 30min nap, b/c he fell & took a pretty good blow to the head.
I was just thinking this morning. How i would like to do something for advent that would help me draw closer to the real reason for the season. Thank you for doing this!
This is what I did Saturday w/ my kids as we put up our Christmas trees. I read them the book the legend of the Christmas tree. It is a wonderful book that explains the history of the Christmas tree & how it is actually something that points to God! In everything we do in our home I try to make it all point back to Jesus & not just his birth but more importantly His death.
Yay–I’m so glad the Unwrapping Jesus series is back! I remember that from last year, and I still go back and read some of those Christmas-themed posts from time to time because they’re always relevant at all times of the year, since as you said, we’re always on a journey to find Christ in our hearts! I love that! I’m so inspired by what you said here about how we’ll all surely receive messages from Jesus in this season as we keep the focus on unwrapping Jesus! This year, I’m trying to return to the heart of Christmas by focusing on trust, trust in God–no easy task, but always infinitely worth the effort! I pray that Jesus will open me more to trust in this season and to knowledge of His goodness and His hope. I love the season of waiting that comes before Christmas, when we can really focus on trying to prayerfully receive His grace into our hearts–a very rich time spiritually-speaking indeed! In my church, we light a candle each week in our homes and in the church on a special wreath for a month before Christmas with a prayer, to remind ourselves that we’re getting closer with each week to the Light of Christmas, and that’s always a wonderful way for me to find Jesus in the holiday season. I always love the holiday season but mostly because I long for the spiritual gifts that it offers–I always feel that somehow during the Christmas season God is at work in a special way, that wonderful things and miracles can happen, so Christmas is a very hope-giving season for me, even in the time leading up to it. I pray that we’ll all be able to find new ways to unwrap Jesus together this year on our own and on Faith Barista! I can’t wait for that journey! Giving thanks tonight for the wonderful opportunity afforded by the new Unwrapping Jesus series and for your beautiful, faith-filled words and heart–thank you so much! I’m going through an extremely difficult period with my faith right now, and I really need an infusion of Jesus into my heart, so I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to see this post tonight! I pray for refreshment and Jesus-finding or rather Jesus-finding-us for all of us in this season!
We began a new tradition. My hubby and I decorated the day after as usual, but this time we bought one Christmas movie to watch in the glow of our tree after nice dinner. Upon reflecting on Black Friday, I think people forget the simplicity of the season when greed wraps us in its grasp and propels us to make each Christmas better thing-wise, instead of spirit-wise. I like simple Christmases. I don’t buy ahead either. I shop during December at local shops, leisurely, carefully, and joyfully.
I treasure the words that you and the Spirit use to encourage me. Sometimes sharp, sometimes smooth and sweet. They flow in and fill spaces until I sit back and let them move in my heart. Thank you!
God has been speaking to me about thanks this year, about being aware of the too often unappreciated… This Christmas I am purposely slowing down to take in what He sends, all He sends, and give thanks. Appreciate His hands and fingerprints even in the losses. Paul counted all his gain as garbage in comparison with Christ. My desire is to do the same, keeping focused.
The children at church sing the following – (this is just the first verse)
If the Savior stood before me
If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?
Sally DeFord (http://www.defordmusic.com/ifthesaviorstoodbesideme.htm)
– I sometimes wonder if we are waiting for the Saviour to stand before us before we do what he has asked – love one another serve one another.
Sounds like a wonderful series, Bonnie! Can’t wait to join as the Spirit prompts. Again, you’ve used just the right words to touch me and draw me in. Let’s take back the Spirit-filled Christmas, not the thing-filled!
I loved today’s post (as always) – we live in a super-rural area and have chickens ourselves. It’s never a tidy thing to care for the chickens but I’m always so grateful for the fresh eggs. Every morning I walk past the BIG Macy’s in NYC going to my office (where the windows this year are disappointly secular – fairies or something like it) and then go home to chickens and warm and babies and all the good stuff that makes Christmas with children wonderful (actually, all the time with children is pretty amazing, isn’t it). I never get tired of the lights – however commercial they might be in NYC – I am a total girl and I love sparkles and lights and fancy. It is a treat for me every year and still exciting and I love the build up of expectation during this my favorite month! Just reminds me how special the holiday is, and how important it is to balance the festive with the holy.