Turning Mountains into Molehills- 4 Ways to Turn the Holiday to a Holy-Day

Holiday

The line snaked around the inside of the building. Angry voices raised in protest as people jostled to maintain their spot. An argument broke out over a popular toy down one of the aisles. This did not feel like the Christmas holiday.

Music blared overhead, and I stopped as I heard the words of the John Lennon song, “So this is Christmas.” I deeply sighed as I realized this is what Christmas has become for so many of us, it was no longer a Holy-Day.

Anger
Frustration
Dread
Waiting
Wanting

All of these negative feelings now dominate this season of joy.

What happened to change our hearts from celebrating Christmas as a sacred event into a commercialized experience? How did the day go from a Holy-Day to just a holiday.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Holy Day

Isaiah prophesies about the birth of Jesus in this verse above, and his words hold such beauty within them. They offer a glimpse of the real meaning of Christmas as it describes Jesus.

Christ will be called –
Wonderful
Mighty
Everlasting
Peaceful

These words provide such a contrast from the chaotic holiday season we experience today.

Reread the Bible verse – does calmness settles over you? Do you sense a change in your spirit? I do.

Christ offers hope and peace for a Holy-Day instead of just a holiday. Click To Tweet

The Wonderful Counselor

This descriptive term echoes a peacefulness, which is lacking in our Christmas season today. My vision of a wonderful counselor sees a loving God sitting next to me as He listens with a caring heart. His presence offers comfort. This babe in the manager will be the eternal hope as His wisdom guides our steps on the path of life.

“This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in
counsel and excellent in wisdom.”

Isaiah 28:29 ESV

Mighty God and Everlasting Father

When Isaiah wrote these words, unrest, and wars filled his world, much like our world today. The Jewish people of that day looked for a mighty warrior to come and save them from those who sought to destroy them.

I want to make memories that will last longer than any gift I could buy for my family.Give your family peace this Holy-Day. Click To Tweet

Instead, the King of Kings arrived as a tiny baby. His true nature lay hidden under the swaddling clothes in the lowly manger.

This Mighty God, Creator of the universe and every living thing, left His throne in heaven to come to earth. He came to teach us love and peace.

Much of the world missed His message because they looked for a warrior God. Jesus offered life eternal with Him. A gift to those who accepted His message. He calls us to love and live in peace with our neighbors. It is still a radical message today.

“But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

Luke 22:69 NIV

Prince of Peace

Ah, peace! My soul longs for God’s peace in my life and world this Christmas season. I long to spend time in a church lit only by candles, sing the old, traditional carols, and feel God’s presence settle the busyness of my heart.

I want to make memories that will last longer than any gift I could buy for my family.

Peace is the thing the entire world desires but does not know how to find.

Jesus gives lasting peace to His people.

He gives peace for today, peace for Christmas and peace for all eternity.

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 NLT