“Thanks Before Presents”
“Thanks before Presents”.
This was a verbal reaction to my husband on the first Sunday of November. We sang “Go Tell It On The Mountain” that morning at church, so he and the drummer were in button-up Christmas print Hawaiian shirts.
While the comment didn’t steal my joy, it did make me pause to reflect on it. Christmas brings me a tremendous amount of joy, so I am almost always shocked when someone is so negative about others celebrating early. Especially other believers.
I love to share my joy with people because sharing Christmas is sharing Jesus.
Lights. Trees. Wreaths. Nativity. Garland. Silly t-shirts and funny memes. I will enjoy it and celebrate. Bring it all.
The overall festive feeling of the season looks glitzy and dressed up and warm and welcoming. But, also for me, something much more.
I love Christmas.
And when someone says “thanks before presents”, I can’t help but think they are assuming things, and by doing so, got it wrong.
For me, it’s more like
“Thanks and Presence”
There is nothing else in my life I love celebrating more than the birth of our Savior, and I love that celebrating means dressing everything up and making it shine.
And I didn’t forget about Thanksgiving.
The one thing I am most thankful for is Jesus. And I think both being grateful for and celebrating Him deserve more than a month can offer.
People have strong feelings about the separation of the two- but for me, these two days on the calendar mean so much more than “Thanks & Presents”. They are practically married.
Soulful, eternal gratitude is the best way to describe what I feel.
Eternal things begin with the birth of Jesus Christ.
“Thanks” begins with sincere gratitude on a daily basis.
Gratefulness presents in different ways. It comes packaged in the fruits of the spirit and humility.
It comes bringing joy and love to others. It comes with peace and patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)
All of these come when in His Presence.
And when I pop open that first box of Christmas decorations on November 1st, I am reminded of all these things. Especially how my words can bring these fruits of the spirit to remind others that my gratitude is a result of his presence.
My Gratitude is a result of His Presence.
Isn’t that the point for believers?
So whether you hang up your lights and decorate your tree in November or wait until December to jump into Christmas, remember this one thing.
Your words have the power to build up and tear down. What you say and how you say it matters.
When those of us who embrace the season earlier than some start lighting things up and decking the halls, remember- their Joy is unstoppable and it may just be connected to their gratitude.
XOXO,
