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Merry Christmas in July
By Susanne Scheppmann
Key
Verse:
“Then the angel said to them, "Do not
be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to
all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11NKJV)
Devotion:
I should have used
that newly advertised “prescription strength” deodorant today. Our outside
temperature was a sweltering 115 degrees. It felt about 350 degrees in my car
as I toodled around doing my errands. The air conditioning never had a chance
to cool the car before I opened the door and drug myself into the next store.
I felt roasted as I
drove. To my chagrin, a traffic signal changed to red and I braked reluctantly
at the busy intersection. The car stopped and I saw waves of heat radiate off
the pavement.
Then I saw a
mirage—a bouncing Santa Claus. Upon closer inspection, I discovered a bulky,
garish balloon outside an electronics store. A sign hanging in the overheated
air read, “Celebrate Christmas in July!” The
sign tried to cajole potential consumers to spend their money in the store,
without celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
Suddenly, an idea
pushed its way into my overheated thoughts. “Why couldn’t we celebrate
Christmas in July? Wouldn’t it be fun to have Christmas without all the holiday
fuss in December?”
As the car idled, my
mind raced. My family could celebrate the birth of our Savior and make it
intentional—especially if it was in July. We could decorate a tree in our
backyard. We could barbeque a turkey breast. Then after dinner, we could sit on
the patio and read the Christmas story as we watch the sunset.
The light changed
and so did my attitude. I no longer dreaded a day full of errands in the
sun-baked desert. In fact, I added a couple more stops to my list. First, I
swung into a discount store to pick up a stronger deodorant and a few “stocking
stuffers” for my family. Then I headed off to the grocery store to prepare for
Christmas dinner on the grill in July.
I believe honoring
Christmas in July will help my family to focus on the birth of our Savior in a
unique way. And who knows—it may become an annual festival that will create
lasting memories for our family and our faith.
So, “Merry Christmas
in July!”
Prayer:
Dear
Lord, help me to remember to celebrate You throughout the year. Grant me
innovative ways to weave the story of Your life throughout my family’s ordinary
day-to-day routines. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application
steps:
Read
Luke 1:1-2:20. Consider how you can celebrate Christmas throughout the year.
This
month plan a special activity to honor the birth of Jesus.
Reflections:
Do
I reflect on the birth of Christmas only in December?
How
would my life change if I celebrated the birth of Christ year round?
Power
verses:
Matthew
1:23, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they
will call him Immanuel"--which means, ‘God with us.’” (NIV)
Luke
2:11-12, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is
Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in
cloths and lying in a manger.” (NIV)
John
1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his
glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace
and truth.” (NIV)
© 2008 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
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