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The bench where I proposed to my beautiful wife

The obvious answer would be because of Christmas. Sure, that is a major factor. I LOVE this season. Christmas season just makes me feel good. I can’t quantify or explain it. It just happens. Even when going through difficult, dark times there is just something about Christmas that makes me feel better. It’s the music, the food, the decorations, the joy, the ministry, the whole package.

In years past my ministry responsibilities have made parts of the Christmas season a bit stressful to say the least, but despite this I still love it. My church goes absolutely nuts with the Christmas decorating. There are trees decked with lights literally EVERYWHERE in our building from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. No matter how tired or cranky I am, when I walk in and I am surrounded by a chorus of beauty I can’t help but smile. Yes, I said chorus. At Christmas the beauty sings to me. Honestly, I forget the definition of the word “tacky” at Christmas. Every color combination, every wreath or lawn decoration is beautiful in December.

Family can also bring complications to the table. I live in Woodstock, IL. My parents live in Rockford, IL. My wife’s parents live in Pendleton, IN (basically Indianapolis). Needless to say the holidays can be a bit crazy with hundreds of miles going on the family car. Yet, despite this somewhat rabid pace, I still love the Christmas season. Some of my favorite moments with my wife have happened over car rides at midnight on Christmas eve or the afternoon on Christmas day. December makes travel fun.

Carter's First Christmas

As my family grows, this time of year becomes even more enjoyable. I love shopping for my son’s Christmas presents. Yesterday I found myself wandering through Walmart’s toy section for over an hour. I knew that most of what I was looking at I wouldn’t be buying for him for a couple of years. I still loved it. I love showering gifts upon my son. It brings me great joy even though this means that what I receive at Christmas is now greatly reduced. Is it me or does December seem to make giving feel so much more exciting, rewarding?

December is about more than just Christmas. Growing up in northern Illinois, December usually brought the first legitimate snowfall. Most midwesterners love snow…in December. Come mid-January we are all ready for spring. But for one magical month, every snowfall brings happiness. I don’t even mind shoveling it…again, in December only. The first snow is new. All the annoying and inconvenience of the previous winter is forgotten, and the minute snow begins to fall for the first time I am transported magically back to the days of my childhood. Memories of snowmen, snow angels, snow ball fights, and sledding momentarily blind me from the realities of the traffic jams, bitter cold, and inconveniences that snow can bring. December is when snow is new, fun, exciting.

Is it possible that December is so magical because it carries the footprints of our Creator’s master plan everywhere, in plain view? Beauty, family, the awe of creation, the excitement of something new. Aren’t these all God’s handiwork? Evidence of His incredible design? I love December because it is like a giant billboard screaming, “LOOK AT ALL OF THIS! I MADE THIS FOR YOU TO ENJOY! – GOD”.

I want to encourage you to find about 20 minutes over the next week or so, sit down, and just put life on pause. I recommend putting in headphones with your favorite Christmas music playing on your iDevice. Take a moment to reflect on what is special to you about December. The reality is December comes just once per year. As much as we sing and preach about carrying the Christmas spirit throughout the entire year, the reality is the magic only lasts until maybe New Year’s. Let God speak to you through His December creation. Enjoy.

What are your favorite elements of December? How does God speak to you through this season?

Previous Posts in this series:

Enjoying Christmas Part I – Enjoy

Priceless moments December brings...