Two Simple Ways to Create a Meaningful Pause this Christmas Season
How would it feel to catch your breath and have it turn into praise this Christmas season?
Because a pause is exactly that ⏤ seeing minutes for what they really are ⏤ moments pregnant with opportunities to draw closer to Jesus.
There are many ways to hit the pause button in December but today, I’m sharing two simple ideas that can be experienced either alone with the Lord, or with others. But first, let’s pray.
King Jesus, our hearts bow before You in reverence and awe of Your choice to come down so that we could one day be lifted up to live with You forever. Cement within our hearts a desire to meet with You, not for the sake of checking off a box, but for the sake of our souls. Awaken within us what has fallen asleep. Revive our hearts. Cultivate a robust faith that hums throughout our days with a fervency that refuses to be snuffed out by the temporal happenings of the world. You are our world. As the old hymn says, let this also be true in our hearts today and forevermore: Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above. Amen.
Pause to Light a Candle
Place one un-lit candle on a table and turn out all the lights in the room. As you sit alone or with others, consider the ways our world would be different had Jesus not chosen to leave His throne to be born in a manger. Take a few moments to share your thoughts with God or with each other. Consider the depth of darkness our world would contain. It would invade our homes and hearts. There would be no hope of salvation or receiving God’s relentless mercy, or forgiveness. We would never know the goodness of our God, or the willingness of our Savior to die on our behalf so that we could live in the light of His grace in the here and now, and for eternity. Let these thoughts settle in your soul for a few moments.
After a time of sharing in the dark, light the candle. As you do, read John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Notice how one candle disperses the darkness around you. As you light candles throughout the Christmas season, remember your moments in the dark and rejoice for your King has come. Jesus is the Light of the World!
Close your time by singing Silent Night, Holy Night by candlelight.
Pause to Step Outside One Night
While indoors, read Luke 2:8-14 out loud and then step outside. Look up! Depending on the weather, you may see a chalkboard sky with shimmering stars or one curtained by clouds. Either way, imagine for a moment you are a shepherd going about your business when suddenly, an angel of the Lord appears, and the radiance of God’s glory lights up the darkness around you. (I imagine we’d all be startled and afraid as the shepherds were that holy night.) And then, just as you catch your breath, a host of angels illuminate the sky praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased”.
As you look to the sky, marvel at the wonder of God and how he chose to announce His Son’s birth to the simple, hard-working, shepherds.
When you step back inside your home, read Luke 2:15-16 out loud. Talk with God or with others about your own salvation story. Did God use a particular person to lead you to Jesus? Who might He be putting on your heart to share the Good News of the gospel?
Close your time by singing Joy to the World.
I pray these ideas will bless you and yours this Christmas season. I’m very thankful for each of you. God bless!
Searching for additional ideas? 20 Simple Ways to Offer the Love of Christ this Christmas.
