Three Ways to Rekindle the Wonder and Amazement of Christmas
“The most wonderful time of the year!”
That’s what it is called. The ads promote it. Preachers proclaim it. And messages of holiday songs belt out this same message. It is everywhere! For many people, however, this time of the year is anything but wonderful.
Instead of feeling pure joy, they are…
- Filled with stress
- Worried about money
- Shopping like crazy
- Anxious about what to cook and prepare
- Dreading some of the annual interactions with family and friends
- Struggling to get through the holidays
So, how can we experience joy in this season? Are there some things we can do to get back to the fascination and the fun once again?
Absolutely, yes! We don’t have to be discouraged or downhearted during the most wonderful time of the year.
Here are three suggestions for how to rekindle the wonder and amazement of Christmas:
First, to rekindle the wonder and amazement of Christmas, turn up the music and sing along.
There is something so powerful and so positive about Christmas music! It’s hard not to be uplifted as you listen and sing along. During this season, so many radio stations play Christmas tunes. Additionally, you can listen on YouTube, on your phone music apps, or even to albums that you may still have.
Further, there are so many songs at Christmas that mention the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord. What a perfect chance to proclaim Him! What a perfect time to lift Him up!
Psalm 95:1 reminds us, “Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.”
If you are feeling a little low or anxious right now, I want to encourage you to turn up the music and sing along. Even if you are not a soloist, you can make a joyful noise and transform your whole day. I dare you to try this one!
Second, to REkindle the wonder and amazement of Christmas, try a little gratitude.
As you consider all of the things God has done for you, in your life, and with your life, why not thank Him?
Here are a few ways you can do this:
- Write down a list each morning during the holidays of five things for which you are grateful.
- Go around the table at dinner and have each person mention one thing for which they are thankful.
- Look up to Heaven and say, “Thank you!”
- Be grateful to those who serve you, help you, and work with you.
- Let your spouse and kids know how grateful you are for their lives.
Gratitude will change you!
Being grateful will transform your sadness, discontentment, worry, and fear. One of my favorite quotes about gratitude comes from author Melody Beattie. She says, “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
Need a little holiday cheer this year? Try being more grateful and appreciative of God and others.
Third, to rekindle the wonder and amazement of Christmas, begin to pray about everything.
I love the words of Philippians 4:6–7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Literally, we can talk to God about everything! Every. Single. Thing. So, turn your attention to Heaven and begin to pour out your heart to God today. Let Him know all of your concerns, worries, cares, and needs. Truly, our great God is well able to hear and fix and provide as needed.
No matter what is going on, you can tell Him. And He is the only One Who can actually perform miracles in our lives and answer our prayers!
So, tell Him about:
- That expensive gift you’d love to give
- The relative who you are dreading spending time with this year
- How concerned you are about your budget
- The issues in your marriage or with that child
- Your concerns about cooking all of those meals
- The weight you are struggling to keep off during the holidays
- Other fears or worries
Can I encourage you with something?
God loves to hear from you and me. In fact, the Bible tells us that He bends down to listen when we pray. Psalm 118:2 says, “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”
So, to alleviate the stress and add to the joy and wonder again, why not spend some time each day talking with the Lord? Or perhaps you will want to check in several times a day. Not a moment spent with Him will be wasted. It will be life-altering!
Final Thoughts
Not long ago, I was in a group of friends having a great conversation. As we tried to talk, however, we all kept hearing this strange buzzing noise. Each of my friends checked her pockets, her surroundings, and her purse. But no one could figure out where the strange noise was emanating from.
Then, I checked my bag. It was my phone that was making the noise. Some “unknown caller” was buzzing my number and causing my phone to vibrate. I was ultimately the cause of the disruption and disturbance.
Similarly, if we find ourselves unhappy and unexcited about Christmas this year, it is likely that we are the “cause.” For you see, the only person responsible for recapturing my wonder and amazement of Christmas is me! And the only person responsible for recapturing these same wonders in your life is you!
So, try my suggestions and see if your perspective doesn’t improve. Turn up the music and sing. Try a little more gratitude. And look to the Lord and talk with Him often. I believe if you try these things, the lights will get a little brighter and your heart will feel a little lighter.
May you and I rekindle the wonder and amazement once more—especially of the Lord Jesus Christ.
About the Author: Melanie Redd
Mid-America alumna Melanie Redd is a woman who loves to encourage, equip, train, and motivate other women. With her easy smile, warm personality, and positive outlook, she enjoys offering hope in all that she does.
She’s the best-selling author of nine books, a podcaster, a blogger, and an inspirational event speaker who enthusiastically shares the hope that we have in Jesus.
Melanie and her family live in the suburbs outside of Memphis, Tennessee, with their crazy and lovable Australian Shepherd, Koda! Melanie is married to Dr. Randy Redd, Mid-America’s Vice President for Finance and Operations, Chief Financial Officer, and Professor of Business Administration and Management
You can connect with Melanie on social media and on her website: MelanieRedd.com