December is a month for some significant birthdays in my life. My precious Mom’s birthday is December 6th. Two dear high school friends’ birthdays are today and December 13th. The birthday of one of my Godly mentors is December 26th.
Oftentimes, a simple question is asked to those we love before their birthday: “What do you want for your birthday?” If you are like me, I just want to ensure my loved one is honored in the most meaningful way. Isn’t that what we want for our birthdays…to know we are loved and cherished?
The most significant person in my life, really in this world, celebrates His birth each December 25th. Isn’t it wonderful that we all adorn our homes in Christ-mas finery and decorate the inside and outside with bright lights in honor of His birthday? We bake treats, buy gifts and send cards to our most significant loved ones , friends, and coworkers (and even strangers), and go above and beyond to volunteer and do “random acts of kindness” this time a year. Why? Perhaps it truly is all part of His birthday celebration, honoring the Light Of The World.
However you may feel about Him, one fact is irrefutable. History sets its time stamp of demarcation with Jesus’ birth—BC, “Before Christ”, and AD, “Anno Domini,” Latin for “In the Year of Our Lord.” Even the Old Testament prophesied Jesus’ birth (especially in the book of Isaiah) at least 700 years before He was born! Isn’t it fitting that we give Him our best as we celebrate His birthday?
When I was growing up, we baked a birthday cake for Christmas Day and sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. I will always remember those sweet memories.
So, on this December 2, 2014 AD, in the year of our Lord, 23 days before His birthday, I encourage you to ask Him a simple question: “Lord, What Do You Want For Your Birthday?”
Then listen…
Could His birthday gift be:
to reconcile with your loved one…
to rake the yard of and sit with an elderly neighbor…
to babysit for a worn-out married couple to have a date night…
to share your testimony and love of Jesus with your co-worker…
You can almost hear His still, small voice, can’t you?
“Your Heart, Dear One. That’s all I want. Your Heart.”
Reflect:
- How will this Christmas, Jesus’ birthday celebration, be different from years past?
- How can we listen and act more intentionally after asking the question, “Lord, what do You want for your birthday?”
Renew:
- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” –Colossians 3:23
- “I am sending Him—who is my very heart—back to you.” –Philemon 1:12.
- “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the Truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart.” –1 Peter 1: 22
Recharge:
- After asking, seeking, and listening, what intentional actions in your life have you been prompted to take?
- Consider baking a birthday cake on Christmas Day and singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. Let’s party!
- Please leave a comment.
Resource:
- Check out the last verse lyrics –“In the Bleak Midwinter” http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh221.sht
Danya Jordan
Wow!!another awesome blog!!!
Another good read! Xo
We always had a Jesus birthday cake growing up and I continue to do this with my children (now 10 & 12). I am not sure I actively look for ways to honor/celebrate His birthday but feel they come to me. This morning I bought a cup of coffee for the high school student who was behind me at Starbucks and then I paid for an older woman’s drink and snack at the gas station. I love when people are surprised and thankful as it makes me feel good. A lot of times I will do this and not let the person know who did it.
Me and the kids will go visit our elderly neighbors from our old neighborhood and bring them treats and cheer. And we will continue to do good deeds (which we normally do but more around this time of year)!
Happy Birthday Jesus! Only He would have a birthday where we get the gifts.