Heaven is Here.

The time is finally here. Christmas Day will soon be coming. You were reminded months ago that this time of year was on its way. Not because you saw it on your calendar, but rather when you were at the grocery store. It was finally the day after Halloween, and your children were trying to detox from their sugary treats. You were just trying to grab eggs and your child’s favorite gummies (no use for the sugar detox), and you saw it from a mile away - the Debbie Snack cake Christmas trees. The grocery store was blaring Jingle Bells, the eggnog was already next to the almond milk, and the lady who usually gives you food samples, was already telling you about your next best dish you could make for your Christmas family gathering. And this was in October.

Cue your anxiety. You knew that you should be happy. It's Jesus’s birthday for crying out loud. But good grief… you really weren’t ready for all of this. It already felt like an impossible task to find the perfect costume for your children’s Fall Festival at school, not to mention they were expensive. We breezed through Thanksgiving, and here we are... Christmas Day is arriving soon.

Sure, all of the “things” that come with Christmas can be so fun. The picking and trimming of the tree, the company Christmas party, the Ugly Christmas sweater contest, your children’s recitals, arguments of money (or lack thereof) with your spouse, and presents to buy. By the middle of the Christmas season, you are begging for it to be over, because where is the joy in all of the stressing?

But Jesus tells us not to worry. In fact, he is here and now with us despite the season we are in. Sometimes it is so hard to see and feel his presence whenever we have so many worldly distractions, but friends I am here to say Heaven is here.

Heaven is here when you are trying to not pee your pants from laughing at the children and live animals in the churches live nativity scene. 

Heaven is here in all the faces that are lit by candles at the candlelight service, while your family is singing Silent Night.

Heaven is here with the flour, icing, and sprinkles dispersed everywhere in your kitchen, from you and your little ones making cupcakes for Jesus’s birthday party.

Heaven is here when you sing “Oh Christmas Tree” every morning, as you turn the lights on your tree, and your baby giggles with delight.

Heaven is here when you wake up on Christmas morning, and there is a difference in the air. It's a special morning for sure, and the joy and sparkle in everyone's eyes is unique only to this day.

Heaven is here when you are surrounded by all of your loved ones, and the joy that you feel is so strong it tugs at your heart.

That warmth that you feel, that feeling of wanting to cry because you are so happy, that tug at your heart - that is the purest form of JOY. Don’t be over swept by all the distractions that come with this season. It is very easy to get bombarded with the parties, dessert sign-ups, and places to be. Say no to things if you need to. Kindly decline if necessary. Give so much more than you expect to receive. Be so intentional about making those memories. Sit around the dinner table just a little bit longer. But ultimately choose joy, choose love and understanding. Be the warmth that everyone yearns for during the Christmas season. Lets be less distracted and more connected. During a time and in a world that is so busy and too distracted, choose joy, happiness and kindness. 

Heaven is here.