An Ordinary Christmas

In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.— Luke 2:8

Isn’t Christmas the perfect time to flex a little creative muscle? Dreams of sugarplum-frosted trees and perfect parties fill our heads. We plot and plan the perfect gifts. We outdo ourselves with new cookie recipes and leaf through magazines, looking for spectacular displays to re-create at home. As we attempt to pull together something extraordinary, we may spend a great deal of money, time, and energy on all the details. Creating an impressive Christmas can be exhausting, but let’s remember that beauty can be found in an ordinary celebration of Christmas too.

After all, it was just an ordinary night for the shepherds in Bethlehem. Then, right in the middle of their usual grazing land and their normal evening, angels appeared, proclaiming the birth of the Savior. God invaded the shepherds’ regular night with His holiness, and they were never the same.

We do not need to create something extraordinary for God to show up.

He sent angels to shepherds in a field. Zechariah, a priest, was performing his duties in the temple when the angel Gabriel appeared to him. Jesus’ first disciples were fishing when He called them to follow Him. God shows Himself to ordinary people who are doing ordinary things. He knows where to find us, and when He does, beautiful things happen.

We all want our holidays to be special, but special does not have to be stressful. It’s perfectly fine to crave a little ordinary in our celebration this Christmas. Let’s gather around a fireplace with some hot cocoa and thank God for the beauty that is found in an ordinary life.

We do not need to create a spectacle to catch Your attention, Lord. Faithfulness is what You seek. Help us find Your beauty in the ordinary. Amen.

Excerpted with permission from Coloring Christmas Devotions copyright Zondervan.

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Your Turn

There are extraordinary days in the Christian life, but most of our walks of faith are filled with ordinary moments and ordinary days. But, it was under ordinary circumstances that Jesus was born. Common days can bring that most glorious in-breakings of the Spirit! God can “show up” any place and any time! Are you ready? Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily