Sitting beside a roaring fire spending time with Jesus creates a feeling of harmony and that all is well. In fact, we feel like we’re one step closer to experiencing a taste of heaven. These days we don’t even need a real chimney—a hoop-de-do electric fireplace cranks out heat in no time. Honestly though, don’t all of us want to feel the warmth of communing with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ especially during Christmas?
Spending Time with Jesus Because We Put Him First
Work, family, and Christmas activities ratchet up on our priority scales, while Jesus drops to the bottom. Unless of course, we purposely schedule time for Him. He’s there for us 24/7 when we cry out to Him for help due to an emergency. Again, we shoot up prayers for skinned knees or when a favorite pet goes rogue in the neighborhood.
Maybe we feel celebratory at Christmas because Jesus is happy when a lost sinner accepts His offer of salvation. Then too, He’s our advocate when we succumb to sin. “My little children, I am writing these things to you, so that you do not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One” (I John 2:1). Any time we mess up, Jesus stands in on our behalf reminding His Father that the ultimate sacrifice at the cross covers us. I would imagine Jesus is grinning from ear to ear because He’s so proud of His children.
So, for Jesus to stay at the top of our Christmas list (all year), we must think about Him upon awakening. Then, we can perk coffee, grab a cookie and a Bible, and settle into the comfort of spending time with a friend. That means we might need to set the alarm clock 30 minutes or more before everyone else gets up. Since we live in a techy/geeky world, our smartphones have built-in alarms so we can hang out with Jesus.
Spending Time with Jesus Because Nothing Goes Right Until We Do
We may not think about it, but we’re spiritual people because God made us that way. When we don’t feed our spirits, the flesh rises up to take over. It’s a constant battle between the spirit and the flesh as Apostle Paul noted in Galatians 5:16-17. “I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. These are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”
Listening to what God has to say about a situation is the wisest counsel we can seek. Some people fly around like balls in a pinball machine without any purpose or direction. For some people, whatever has the greatest influence or impact on their minds wins out. When Christians train themselves to seek God for answers before people, their lives become balanced and orderly. There’s a spring in our step when we’ve been with God and it shows on our faces.
Spending Time with Jesus Means Including Him in Everyday Activities
Christmas is an event-packed season. We trim the tree, wrap garland around the fireplace, and create beautiful packages to give away. Cooks make delicious meals and husbands and fathers stay up late to complete projects. The joyous season simply tires us out, but then God. Imagine that Jesus is on our shoulders watching all the fun we’re having. He’s there with us when we take the new sled for a spin or ask the Alexis Echo to order pizza.
We don’t have to leave Jesus sitting by the fire all alone. We simply rely on Him throughout the day, wherever we are, to steady our course. As creative as Jesus is, I’m sure He loves playing games. Sometimes I lay down a challenge to see how many times throughout a 24-hour period I include Him in activities. Conscious effort is necessary at first to play the game, but then I sense The Holy Spirit giving me prompts. He’s totally into making the game fun!
Spending Time with Jesus Is Worshipping Him
Attending a performance of Handel’s Messiah or singing Christmas carols around the piano are ways to worship. We can have a worshipful attitude when shopping by staying calm and enjoying the season of giving. According to a 2015 poll conducted by Christianity Today, among 1,000 participants roughly 6 out of 10 attend church at Christmas. Of regular churchgoers, approximately 91 percent of those individuals attend a Christmas service.
People seem to realize the importance of drawing closer to God at Christmastime to honor the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. What can we do to worship Him not only at Christmas but all year-long? How can we make sure we include Him in everyday events? Is there something or someone who ranks higher than Jesus in your heart?
These thought-provoking questions simply turn our minds and hearts towards the real reason we celebrate Christmas. His name is Jesus—”Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Betsy writes for JESUS because of "Everyday Life with HIM" without pew-warming stuffiness or religious garble. She's an encourager at heart with a mission to draw others to Christ.
