I love the twinkle in the eyes of our kids when we bring out the Christmas tree and decorations. It’s as if, as soon as the Christmas lights turn on, Christmas time has truly begun. For us, it’s holiday baking, gingerbread house making and all the hot chocolate with marshmallows and candy canes that one can stand.

For myself, I have started to really enjoy hot apple cider. I don’t know what it is, but it is just something about the smell and warmth of it that says, “all is right in the world”.

But from the time we put up the first Christmas decoration, until that big moment comes for opening gifts, there is great anticipation. It is a stirring and a brewing of sorts.

For the younger ones, especially our 5-year-old, as the time gets nearer to Christmas, the excitement becomes almost unbearable. She begins asking almost every day, “Is it Christmas yet?”.

It makes me think of the birth of Jesus, our Savior and the anticipation of his arrival. Those during that time may have wondered, is He here yet? They may have thought of what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).

At the mention of the arrival of Jesus, the angels comforted the shepherds telling them to not be afraid, and instead they brought the “good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10 NLT).

The angels also tell the shepherds Jesus has been born and where they can find him. Then the angel had a praise party.

Luke 2:13 and 14 NLT says, “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” So, as we settle into this Christmas season, may we enter this season with joy and with praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Lord, I lift up the one who is reading this. I pray for them to feel Your presence in their life during this Christmas season. As they praise you Lord, may Your light become brighter and brighter. May Your promises become clearer and clearer. May Your power become stronger and stronger in them. I pray for their homes to be filled with Your love and Your joy, unspeakable and full of glory. I pray that Your very name will be made manifest in their heart, mind, and spirit: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. And may the joy of praise rest upon their lips as they honor you, Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

JOY TO THE SOUL: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).

NATASHA SMITH is a wife, mom, writer and speaker. She inspires others to do life better through intentional faith in Jesus. You can find her work on Focus on the Family, Her View From Home, Today Parents, Pray with Confidence, Beyond Women, Sisters Magazine and Lovely You Blog.

Her new podcast “Can You Just Sit with Me?” focuses on having hope in grief and in many other challenges in life. Get her free resource, “Grief in the Season of Joy” when you subscribe to her monthly newsletter.

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