12 Days of Celebrating God’s Way

Written by Patrick Borders

This article is courtesy of HomeLife.

“I wanna go home!” my 2-year-old daughter cried. As we waited at the end of a long, slow line at the department store checkout counter, Lauren was having a meltdown complete with screaming and flailing of legs.

 For three hours my family and I had scurried around the mall buying Christmas gifts. My wife, Tonya, and I had stayed out late the night before at my company party. I was exhausted and, like Lauren, wanted to scream. As the store’s intercom played “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” I wished he would hurry up and get here — then leave!

Eventually we made it through checkout purgatory and headed home. But as we sat in the traffic jam, Tonya spoke the words I’d been dreading: “When we get home, we need to address the Christmas cards.”

I covered my face with my hands. I hate Christmas! I moaned to myself.

My disillusionment with Christmas had been growing. Decembers were filled with anything but peace. The rushing around, extra work, and calendar full of often meaningless activities stressed me out.

Reclaiming Christmas
Fortunately, my pastor resurrected my holiday spirit by introducing me to the 12 days of Christmas. According to most calendars, the Christmas season actually begins December 25 and ends on January 5. Epiphany follows on January 6, commemorating the wise men’s arrival and revelation of Jesus as Savior to the Gentiles.

As an alternative to a stress-filled December, my pastor suggested I reclaim Christmas through 12 days of observances that center on the Christ of the Christmas story.

His suggestion worked. My family and I have reclaimed the holiday as a time for spiritual reflection and drawing closer to God.

If you feel spiritually frazzled during December, consider these observances, celebrated individually or as a family, to reconnect with our Savior.

1. Give meaningful gifts. “They opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh,” (Matthew 2:11).

In many cultures, people don’t exchange gifts until Epiphany. This is not to suggest you change the day you give presents, but you can take time to reflect on the meaning of gift giving. With each gift exchange, you’re re-enacting the scene of the wise men bestowing their treasures on Jesus.

2. Forgive and reconcile. “You are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins,” (Matthew 1:21).

As Christ came to forgive us, we’re called to forgive others. Who has sinned against you? Whom have you offended? While reconciliation takes time, it can begin on this day with the first thought or act of forgiveness.

3. Watch for God. “They will name Him Immanuel, which is translated ‘God is with us,’” (Matthew 1:23).

Search for God this day. You can see His hands in everything — the shining sun, laughter, the warm glow of the fire, and your heart. Take time to be still and listen to God’s voice. What is He saying to you?

4. Show hospitality. “In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, where she entered Zechariah’s house,” (Luke 1:39).

When Mary was pregnant and unmarried, she sought refuge at the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Welcome someone into your home who is grieving a lost loved one, going through a divorce, or simply feeling lonely during Christmas.

5. Honor your mother. “Then [Elizabeth] exclaimed with a loud cry: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your offspring!” (Luke 1:42).

Honor your mother on this day. If she’s near, spend time with her. If not, call her. If she has passed away, reflect on her gift of life. You might also help an overwhelmed mother in your church or neighborhood.

6. Serve the homeless. “And she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a manger — because there was no room for them at the inn,” (Luke 2:7).

Mother Teresa once said that to serve the homeless was to serve the living Christ. (See Matthew 25:40.) Give to the homeless this day by serving in a shelter or soup kitchen.

7. Get back to nature. “We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him,” (Matthew 2:2).

God used nature to guide the wise men. After days of turkey gluttony and sofa sitting, spend time in God’s playground — hike in the woods, make snow angels, take photographs of the stark trees. Soak in the divine creativity and presence of God.

8. Honor children. “You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger,” (Luke 2:12). 

Look for Jesus in the faces of children around you. Spend quality time with little ones, absorbing their playful spirits. If children don’t live with you, visit a family with children or volunteer to baby-sit for a friend.

9. Reflect on the past. “Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them,” (Luke 2:19).

Reflect on the things God has taught you or the ways He has worked in your life during the past year.

10. Worship and celebrate the Sabbath. “[The wise men] saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him,” (Matthew 2:11).

Go to church during the 12 days and focus on worshiping God. Praise Him throughout the service. After church enjoy God’s gift of the Sabbath with family or friends.

11. Experience one hour of prayer. “[Anna] did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers,” (Luke 2:37-38).

Go to a peaceful place, and dedicate an hour to communicating with God. Your thoughts might wander, but God will be present.

12. Count your blessings. “For we have all received grace after grace from His fullness,” (John 1:16).

Set aside time to name the ways God has blessed you. Write them down. Be specific. The list will provide a reminder of God’s grace throughout the year. 

Popular culture has no list for what we’re “supposed to do” on the 12 days from December 25 through January 5. We can make it intimate and peaceful. And through this celebration, we can focus on and connect with our Savior during the holiday that commemorates His birth.

Patrick Borders is a freelance writer in Duluth, Ga.

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