ALL OF OUR CHRISTMASES | A Christmas Devotion About Past, Present & Eternal Hope

Vintage glass Christmas ornament is a treasure from my childhood.

Christmas enters my home in a dusty plastic bin that I drag down from the rafters. When I lift the lid, the ornaments whisper, "Do you remember?"

One by one, I unwrap the memories of the years gone by, and smile to see that the glue still holds on a jagged paper bell, a popsicle stick reindeer, and a red felt stocking with the name “Honey” written in glitter. I hang them on our family tree to remind myself of where we've been and how we came to be.

Because all of our Christmases make up all of our lives, somehow.

There were doorbell chimes, suitcase wheels, and frost-covered cars warmed and waiting in the driveway. Hurry here! Hurry there! Load the presents. Grab the pies.

Love called us home and drew us all together.

Christmas morn was a stampede of squeals descending the stairs. Weeks of frantic preparations were shredded in minutes while I sighed, satisfied to sip lukewarm coffee.

It was all so unexpected and beautiful, chaos we could never quite wrap our minds around, so we pulled the laughter into grateful hearts, knowing one day it would sustain us.

Because in this broken world where hearts crush, tears fall, children leave, and loved ones lie to rest under snowy cemetery boughs, Christmas still comes to us and whispers, "Carry on."

The Christ Child is born. Emmanuel is “God with us” even now.

So, receive God's grace in the memories and the moments that surround you.

Inhale the joy; exhale the sorrow, count your blessings as you sit and stay for a while. Tuck all the goodness deep in your pockets and let it fuel your journey.

Heaven's porch light glows in the distance, beckoning you with a promise.

"The best is yet to come."

One glorious day, you and I will stomp off this world's muddy slush and leave our worn boots at Heaven's door. Jesus will take our coats, lifting winter’s weight off our shoulders.

Our Heavenly Father will say, “Welcome Home. I’m so happy to see you. But I’m not the only one…”

I wonder if we’ll hear the squeals of joy, the laughter we missed, before we behold those sweet, familiar faces descending upon us, so excited to watch us open the glory of every Christmas, wrapped up in one eternal moment that’s been waiting since the beginning of time.

There'll be no need for a dusty plastic bin on that glorious Christmas Day, no more bravery to hold back the tears, no more death to endure, or hiding places to escape the pain.

All of the Christmases that made up all of our lives will be enjoyed in our Father’s House where the lights never dim and no one ever has to go.

Until then, lift the lid on this Christmas. See the treasure waiting. Unwrap each moment with grateful hands.

Jesus is born, making good on His promise: what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, what no mind has imagined is already unfolding before your eyes right here.

Right now.

Merry Christmas.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)