Let’s decorate more than our house for Christmas!

This summer we moved to a new home, so this Christmas I am pulling out old decorations and putting them in new places. As I have wandered around beautifying my new space — filled with thankfulness for my new home — I have been pondering other areas of my life that need intentional decorating for the Christmas season.

My heart needs to be decorated for Christmas.

But the LORD said to Samuel, “…The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

If my heart is dirty and messy with the stress of the season and unresolved issues because I am rushing more than reflecting, then it doesn’t matter how cute my house looks. I can’t let the to-do list of the season out-rank the Lord of heaven and earth. Every time I start the day with my to-do list instead of my Bible (and I have done so…sadly), I am telling God I can live a life of beauty without Him. That is a lie. I can’t.

Our hearts are top priority. Do our hearts look as pretty as our homes?

My neighbors need to be decorated for Christmas.

Christmas provides an opportunity to bring up the name of Jesus most naturally and with least suspicion. So let’s bring up His name! In addition, winter breaks provide changes in work and school routines that make some room for more social interaction.

• Let’s invite people through our doors for coffee and chatting.
• Let’s knock on people’s doors to deliver blessing in the form of a Christmas card, treat, or an offer to shovel a driveway.

We occupy a piece of the globe with other people nearby. Are we initiating relationships?

It’s party time in the Christian world.

Jesus came to earth so we could have a personal relationship with a holy God who loves us so much He sent His only Son to die for the sins we committed!

• Christmas made Easter possible.
• Easter made heaven possible.

Let’s be careful in this busy month to make sure that it isn’t just our house that is adorned with beauty of the celebration of our Savior, but that all spaces of our lives are decorated for Christmas.

Picture Explanation: Wherever you live, whatever you address, it is holy ground. God picked this spot for you. If you invite Him to occupy the physical space in your home and neighborhood; the relational space with families, neighbors and friends; and the soul space of your heart….miracles will happen.

Live for the miracles.

© 2017 by Oaks Ministries. All rights reserved.