Throw the party He said.

It’ll be fun, He said.

Keep it simple, He said — because my son is simple.

{The “He” above of course, meaning God…}

But you know me. Visions of sugarplums- stars and decked out dress forms- danced in my head.

And since creativity honors our creator, we ran with it. We laughed, ate, shared and cried. Four elements of an excellent party.

We brought inexpensive gifts and as each recipient opened her gift, the giver shared what that trinket told about her walk with Jesus this past year.

Infinity scarves encircled as Jesus’s infinite love, clocks and calendars proved the importance that time spent in the word was never wasted and a plant brought forth revelations of the joy of growth, being rooted in Jesus and blooming where He’s planted us just to name a few.

I can’t take credit since I swiped the whole idea for the party from here…

But as promised it was the most meaningful way to start the Christmas Season- admiring what God can do.

Making Him the star of the show.

And since then, I’ve also been smitten with stars.

The large one crafted for the party ended up going home with a friend whose husband risked life and limb after some gentle coercing to hang it in their upper foyer window.

And I wondered after seeing it, how big the real star of Bethlehem loomed on that night all those years ago when angels descended on the unsuspecting shepherds imploring them to come and see?

How exceedingly great to capture the hearts of the wise men who came from afar.

Large enough to inspire adoration and worship no doubt.

But how do we come to Christmas?

Pushed and pulled through a frantic season, mindful only of our to-do list and how it’s daily being wrecked?

{I’m not ashamed to say that’s been me in years past… you too?}

Or are we cautiously expectant like Mary? Resigned like Joseph?

But what would look like to come as shepherds and wise men- filled with joy and gently led by the star?

When we come as shepherds, we guard our hearts like they guard their sheep. Tending needs, protecting from evil and providing for rest.

We realize we are suddenly surrounded by something glorious and that realization brings great joy and a commitment to follow the good news and proclaim it.

The ordinary becomes extraordinary. A tiny babe hailed as a true king.

When we come as wise men, after asking, seeking and knocking, we find. We’re drawn to something and someone greater, inspired to bring gifts.

We come not expecting to “get” anything in return but rather to give what we have. The wise men didn’t come begging for blessing – but simply shared their treasures just as we are called to share gifts from the treasury of our heart.

And as we light the advent wreaths and search the skies we start to see dimly by candle and star light that through our enjoyment of Him- worshiping and adoring, bringing our offerings and time – others are blessed.

If your joy has been swiped more than your credit card this season, slow down.

Take a beat, take a breath, take a nap if you have to. (I know I certainly had to after last week…!)

Invite some friends over and seek after what God is doing in your lives. Find an Advent devotional- Lifeingrace has one going daily on Instagram right now and there’s always Ann Voskamp’s, “The Greatest Gift”.

Let it spark wonder and light your way like the shepherds and wise men.

You don’t have to work for the coming of the Lord, you don’t have to work for Christmas. The miracle is always that God is gracious. ~ Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift

Lord, let your grace be reborn in us today and every day.

♥

P.S. If you’ve made it to the end, hooray! I hope you’ll stick around and follow along because I’m sharing some other exciting news on Instagram and Facebook later today…!

Happy Christmas y’all!

♥

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