About six weeks ago, I was invited to speak at Christmas Tea. The invitation brought some intentional thinking about the meaning of Christmas and the purpose of the holiday as I spoke with the Lord about the message I would share. The timing was interesting, as I was coming out of the whirlwind of my husband's illness and was on the downhill side of teaching Holy Habits.
To think of Christmas in October was incredibly overwhelming. The fall disappeared without traditional apple picking, having spent weekends nursing my ill husband. We never even made it to the local farm stand to gather pumpkins, although my sweet family indulged the kids on our behalf. Mums never graced my front porch, a sign of fall that I dearly love. How could I think of Christmas when fall never happened?
Christmas is a holy day to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Yet, that wasn't the first thought that crossed my mind as I labored over the message to be shared and impending holiday season. Instead, I was burdened by all the demands -- the need to get shopping, to book the photo shoot, to schedule the decorating, to write the traditional letter. Ugh. I didn't want to do any of those traditional things. I wanted to skip Christmas -- the way the culture demands I respond to it -- and move right into the quietness of January.
In the midst of my confession to the Lord about my Christmas dread, God birth a counter movement in my heart: Bringing Holy Back. He brought me back to the Scriptures about holiness, reminding me everything I taught in Holy Habits. He challenged me, in my Spirit, to go through the holiday motions with a passion to share His Savior instead of succumbing to the pressures to perform.
Bringing Holy Back unofficially began this week, as I found myself in situations where I had to chose holiness over selfishness or tradition.
"Okay God, I'll let my plans go
and look for a chance to share
your holiness with others!"
Instead of grumbling, I surrendered. Instead of pulling out all the holiday decorations, I left half in the box and only selected ones that reminded me of Christ. Instead of being guided by feelings, I took hold of my identity in Christ and set forth to declare His praise instead.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
I am sharing this movement with you today, on Thanksgiving, because I am certain that you will have plenty of opportunities to declare the praise of Him who has called you from a life of darkness into His wonderful light. That is what sharing our Savior in a holy new way is all about.
As our homes and lives are filled with family and friends, on Thanksgiving, and for the next 30 days, we have a perfect opportunity to be the light of Christ, if we allow God access to our hearts to birth a movement within us of bringing holiness back to the holiday!
Will you join me in
Bringing Holy Back to the Holiday
so that we can share our Savior in a holy new way?
It means simply this, sharing His
with others, instead of catering to the chaos we all know as Christmas.
If you are participating in the movement, sign the link below and grab the button to post at your blog. As you feel led, share on your blog about how you are seeking to Bring Holiness Back to the Holiday! If you don't have a blog, leave a comment declaring "I'm in!" and share your thoughts with us. Together, we can spread God's holiness this Christmas season!
By His Grace & Mighty Power,
Posts
13 Comments:
Great, great, great idea! I am joining in! Let's bring Holy back to a hurting and desperate world!
-Ashley
I am totally in on this one. I haven't written my post but I think I will do so on Monday. I hope that won't be too late to link up. With Thanksgiving and family, it will be hard to post until then. And I'm also hosting a Fitness Friday giveaway tomorrow on Heart Choices. For those who overate, I have a giveaway that may help. (hint, hint to all)
I'm committed to a different Christmas this year so I look forward to this Lisa. Thank you so much and happy Thanksgiving. I'll be back to link up by Monday.
Blessings,
Debbie
I will also link up Monday sweetie, bless you.
This is a great way to put words to a heart's desire, and I'll enjoy "bringing holy back" along with you.
Blessings for a season that is all about the Savior ~
Julie
What a fantastic idea! I am so grateful I came across your blog today. I will be writing a post to go along with your button this week. Thanks so much! Many blessings to you!!
I LOVE THIS BLOG, THIS WONDERFUL INSIGHT, THE AWESOME MESSAGE. THANK YOU!
Just discovered you through Debbie at Heart Choices...am so happy to see this! This has been heavy on my heart, and I'm thrilled to be part of what you're doing to bring holiness back to Christmas...its long overdue...I've added your button and link to my blog, now need to go get it posted!
God bless,
Mary
Dear Lisa, thank you so much for what you are doing for Christ. Even when I was lost in sin, I recognised how wrong my fellow unbeliever attitude was towards Christmas. Now as a believer
I can enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.
Have a blessed weekend, my sister :o)
~ Hugs ~
I too have been secretly harboring some Christmas dread. Thank you for your honesty :D
I am exited about this and look forward to what the Lord will do with it!
Blessings,
Loni
This is such a wonderful idea. I am definitely in. I will add this to my post tomorrow for Spiritual Sunday as it so goes with what the Lord layed on my heart to share. I can't wait to see what the Lord does with it all. I am going to link up now, even though I am not posting till a little later. Hope that is OK.
Blessings,
Debbie
Blessings eLisa...WOW! Awesome mission to bring HOLINESS into the holiday!!! I LOVE THIS!!! This is such a wonderful plan and so GOD!!! I love how though you lost your momentum with Holy Habits because of circumstances unavoidable...that you have not been detered but PRESS ON...ohhh my sister, such wonderful, beautiful plans God has for you...such a precious heart you have and ministry! I'm so looking forward to your journey & all you share!
God plants FANTASTIC, creative ideas in you & I love how you bring them forth & continue with HOLY HABITS! We indeed are in need!
I was browsing back through your blog posts and mostly "Holy Habits" and I came across your ebook and how the proceeds are going to help
New Hope orphanage in Uganda. This truly inspires & blesses my heart. I have bookmarked this and downloaded the preview. At this moment, I cannot order but I just wanted to commend you for such a beautiful act of service & love for God's children to bring not only HOLINESS but HOPE! You are an inspiration eLisa & I'm praying that many will bless this endeavor as God already wills!!! I am honored to call you sister. You come up with some "dandies" but this truly surpasses up to this moment. Can't wait to have time, make time to read. I only have placed your button on my blog and praying! I'm IN ..in my heart just not too sure about the blogging part. Praying, praying, praying...many blessings on you and Bringing Holiness to the Holidays!
(((Hugs)))Peggy
Lisa, I'm really not sure how I missed this--I must have been sleeping!! God is touching my heart in the same way, and the phrase Bringing Holy Back to the Holiday resonated deep within me. I will be back to explore your site, but I want you to know I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do in you and through you--and in me through this.
Fixing my gaze, with you, on Jesus.
Wendy
It's beautiful how the Lord can bring us full circle if we are willing to listen. Thank you for listening to your heart and posting this. I'm in! :) I can't wait to see how the Lord inspires me.
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I'm so glad you decided to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'd also love to follow up with you, so be sure to leave your email address or a link to your blog! If you'd like to contact me directly, just pop an email to Lisa at extragrace at gmail dot com.
Blessings, extravagantly,
Lisa