I’ve read more blogs than I can count this past week about people not wanting to buy into the foolishness of American Christmas this year, you know — the mad rush of shopping, frantic cooking, Pinteresting, charging up credit cards for expensive technological gifts for our kids who already have enough.
One blog I read this week offered a great idea to avoid such seductive trappings that have nothing to do with the heart of Christmas — create an intention for Christmas!
I just love this simple suggestion that set me on new holiday course, putting a smile on my bah-humbug face.
My intention this Christmas season is this: I want to unwrap – to know — the heart of Jesus, to glimpse as much of Christ’s splendor as I can stand.
In the spirit of Christ, I seek to turn the capitalistic Christmas story upside down, like Jesus did the tables of those buying and selling, scamming you might say, in the temple courts. I want to discover beyond Santa and Rudolph and Dasher and Donner, and Christmas sale extravaganzas, the deeper, more true story, the story that captured and changed the hearts of the Scrooges and Grinches of the world through ages and throughout the globe. I yearn for the revelation of Christ’s mysteries – those Saint Paul said were hidden from ages and generations — that bulldozed through the centuries, creating a quiet, yeast-rising revolution that unraveled religion, empires, the status quo, and awakened people to a true, more compassionate life.
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly!” John-10:10
Yes, my intention this Christmas season is to realize the flames of Christ in my heart, to know and cherish the life he offered at no cost.
I came across a quote by author and theologian Dallas Willard this week that blasted through my dull, yet yearning faith this Christmas season as I’ve been barraged by capitalistic Christmas ads on the radio, in store windows and about town. It’s profound message reached deep into my soul speaking volumes about the magnitude of Christ’s gifts to the world. Willard writes:
“Wouldn’t you like..a rich and unshakable life..one free from loneliness, fear and anxiety, filled with constant peace and joy? Wouldn’t you like to love your neighbor as yourself and be free of anger, envy, lust and covetousness? Wouldn’t you like to have inspiration and strength to lead a constant life of creative goodness? Wouldn’t you also like to have strength and understanding that enables you genuinely and naturally to bless those who are cursing you– or cheating you, beating you out of the job, spitting on you in a confrontation, laughing at your religion or culture…”
What better Christmas gift could we possibly ask for other than the heart of Christ that offers us a life of such peace, contentment, compassion, forgiveness and joy that surpasses all understanding? A Christmas diamond surely is a dull gift in comparison, don’t you say?
The omnipotent Jesus Christ– meaning all powerful — is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:14) In Greek, the word for powerful is dynamoo. Jesus then, the all powerful dynamoo, offers abundant life this Christmas. We only need to realize, to know the heart of the greatest hero who ever lived.
How uncanny, in Greek, hero means the one who serves.
“For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.“” – Mark 10:45
But for us, accepting the servant heart of Christ means submitting our will to God’s will. It means consecrating our lives to holiness, avoiding greed, coveting, anger and all sorts of things we humans do that make us, and one another unhappy. It means being forgiven, and forgiving those who offend us. And it means day in and day out searching beyond the capitalistic Christmas mentality for the heart of Christ.
Although the rich man in the New Testament might have seemed noble when he told Jesus he followed all of the commandments since he was a boy, Jesus in turn challenged him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor.”
Knowing the heart of Christ, means becoming as C.S. Lewis termed, ‘little Christs’. It means becoming Christ-like servants, giving to the Tiny Tims of the world — not only during Christmas season, but year-round.
Jesus radical, wild-flying, disruptive, and inconvenient teachings aim to perform root canal on our lives, shepherding us to the heart of truth, to servantship, and ultimately to divine peace.
Author Brennan Manning wrote in his book Furious Longing for God, “Jesus Christ has irreparably changed the world. When preached purely, His word exalts, frightens, shocks and forces us to reassess our whole life.”
It’s not easy to realize he did this out of love.
I was thinking today, if Jesus was walking throughout San Diego, teaching on hillsides wouldn’t I be captivated by this parable speaking man healing and performing miracles as he walked through the coastal towns near my home. Would I be following him like those did from Galilee, from DeCapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the region across the Jordan?
Wouldn’t I sit down and rest a while on the hillside, listening to his unusual and wise words, as yearning stirred in my heart? What if he arrived during Christmas season? Would people pass him by on the way to the mall, assuming he was a madman, just as his brothers first thought?
I sure hope I’d follow him, what about you? After all, I’m not much for shallow talk, and I’ve always been captivated by those who breathe love into suffering, poverty and injustice. I long for such friends, don’t you, friends who help us find the missing pieces of the puzzles of our souls, the ones who help us glue parts of our missing selves together, reminding us to be shining lights for God, guiding us through troubled lives to live a life with meaning. And to pass it forward.
Yes, I want to know the heart of Jesus this Christmas. And in turn I want to share these divine gifts.
Maybe it’s offering someone forgiveness? A lot more kindness? A helping hand for someone in need? Inviting someone lonely or without a family for dinner? Loving God with all our hearts, minds and strength?
Or remembering a Tiny Tim?
Will you join me in creating your Christmas intention? Email me if you want me to make you your Christmas intention card, I’ll email it to you to print out!
WE LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!
For those who want some lovely ideas for giving actual gifts to people in need:
Sponsor a child compassion international
Donate baby Carriers for Refugee moms
(People can donate their carriers to: Carry the Future 121 W. Lexington Dr. Suite L 106D Glendale, CA 91203)
Love these Etsy Scarves for Orphans!
Sharing this week at #SmallWonder and these lovely linkups!
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“Yes, I want to know the heart of Jesus this Christmas. And in turn I want to share these divine gifts.” Oh, how I long for this, too. My life can be so me centered and I do not want that. I want to see through the eyes of Jesus. I want to be so yielded to him that his love and grace flow through me to fall on those around me. I want my life to point others to our blessed Savior whose sacrificial love gave me life.
Beautiful Intention Gayl! We need to be reminded, all of us–it’s so easy to get ‘me centered’ where our hearts, although yearning for God, just can’t quite remember where we most belong! I’m so blessed to have the community of women and men who help remind me! So happy this spoke to your, and you have such beautiful intentions! Carve them in your heart this season! Blessings!! I will be emailing you a graphic of your intentions as a Christmas reminder!
Thank you so much for the beautiful graphic of my intentions!
You’re so very welcome Gayl! May this season be overflowing with all the blessings of your humble, beautiful and heartfelt intentions!
Thank you so much for adding the scarves to your list. This truly blesses my heart. And may we truly be intentional this Christmas-it’s all about Him!
You’re welcome Kortney, the scarves are a lovely gift and cause for orphans!
Yes, I want the heart of Christ! What a beautiful, grace-filled message, and I thank you for the opportunity to read it. I have been struggling to have the right attitude this Advent, but what I need to do is as you say: “…day in and day out searching beyond the capitalistic Christmas mentality for the heart of Christ.”
Thank you Hillary for your visit and encouraging words. I’m so blessed when I know the words that God gives me bless another! I love your intention, and know that when we yearn and seek that we draw closer..may this season you rest and abide in God’s loving grace!
Hello,
I’m your neighbor today at the RaRa link-up and your thought-provoking post makes me pause. I’ve wondered if I would Jesus if he walked the streets today and although I’d like to think I would, I’m not so sure! I love your suggestions for gifts of the heart this holiday season. So glad I met you today!
What a blessing to have you visit Valerie and that the post was thought provoking! It’s not an easy question, what would we do if Jesus walked the streets today..but one to ponder this Christmas season! So glad you like the gift suggestions! Blessings to you and Merry Christmas!
I love the idea of an intention and that’s a huge part of my time during Advent most years.
This year is about scaling back and putting the focus on my family. An aspect of our family life is giving back to others, but we’ve not decided how we’ll do it this year. Last year we blessed a family who gave so much as den leaders for Cub Scouts, yet are struggling to even put food on the table for their kids. They were so grateful for all that we were able to bring them, including some firewood for a Christmas fire. (Wood is EXPENSIVE to buy here in Alaska and the dad has physical limitations which keeps him from gathering from free sources.)
Hi Laura, I love your intention of scaling back and focusing on family life. I love when the holiday season is so simple! What a beautiful blessing you gave to the den leaders last year–to recognize their unselfish hearts even when they could barely feed their family. How beautiful you recognized them, and brought them firewood,too! I can only imagine how this warmed their hearts! I know you will find just the right person or family this year to bless..what a gift you are!
“My intention this Christmas season is this: I want to unwrap – to know — the heart of Jesus, to glimpse as much of Christ’s splendor as I can stand.” So beautiful! Thank you for sharing your heart. This post has inspired me to set an intention this Christmas season as well.
thank you Laura for your encouragement and for visiting! I’m so happy this post inspired you to set an intention this Christmas! Blessings to you!
Love this idea!!!! I would love for you to send me the postcard!
I would love to Caytie, do you have a special intention I can write on the card?
An intention for Christmas: such a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing your heart in this post and offering to share your time and talent. I will be emailing you with my Christmas intention.
Lovely Juanita!! So thankful for your visit and encouragement! I’ll check my email for your intention..have a beautiful holiday season!
He causes us to reassess our life. That has resonated with me.
Hi Elizabeth — that’s a great way to think of it — how the way Jesus, and how he lived and taught makes us reassess our lives!
My dear friend….you have said it beautifully!! Your desire to be used by the Lord is coming to fruition. I praise His name….Baruch HaShem!! Your heart is so beautiful!! My intention is to “soak in His Word” and find new strength,wisdom and encouragement.
Dear Rebecca! You have been on my mind, I’m so happy to hear from you! Thank you for your precious encouragement, and may your heart be filled with the mysteries of Christ this beautiful season! I will be emailing you your intention for printing out..May you be blessed with renewed strength, wisdom and encouragement!
yes! love! blessings!
Blessings to you, too!!
Kathy,
Yes, a wonderful focus…Christ instead of consumerism. I’ve been praying to see more of Christ and lately it has been for me to keep praying and loving those around me, and praying for them because what they most need is to experience God’s love fully, just as that is my greatest need. Blessings to you 🙂
So much appreciate your comment Dolly! I love your intention to keep loving and praying for those around you to experience God’s love. Praying also is so powerful in bringing us into God’s loving embrace! Blessings for a beautiful holiday!
Gorgeous post, Kathy! I surely hope I wouldn’t miss Him and not follow. I know I get so busy with each day and the activities of 3 kiddos, but I pray my intention remains on Him! Thank you, friend, for another inspirational read 🙂
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Thank you for your lovely encouragement Lori! I know what it’s like to have so many distractions, especially as mothers, but we encourage one another to remember to seek first the heart of God in all we do. Thankfully we have one another, and I bet if Jesus walked in your town, amazing grace somehow would lead you to follow! Blessings to you Lori during this sacred season!
“I want to unwrap – to know — the heart of Jesus, to glimpse as much of Christ’s splendor as I can stand.”
“Yes, I want to know the heart of Jesus this Christmas. And in turn I want to share these divine gifts.”
Thank you, my soul sister. (On SO many levels!)
Thank you for putting into words what I ache and long for too…