Loving Christmas Blessings 2025
Our Annual Christmas Guest
“If the meaning could be put into a sentence, there would be no need of telling the story.” H.V. Dyke
As I watched the scene unfold, no gift under the tree could have brought greater pleasure. The lights were dim, and the tree sparkled; soft music played in the background. With little ones clad in Christmas pajamas and snuggling in our laps, the seven of us sat in a semicircle, waiting with anticipation. The ambience offered all that one could want on Christmas Eve, and I tried to absorb every blissful second.
At this moment, our son took out a book to read at home with his family, just as we had so many Christmases past: The Other Wise Man.
Our Annual Tradition
A tradition is an intangible we carry with us wherever we go, giving shape and meaning to seasons and situations. And, a tradition helps make a house a home. As I moved my family from nation to nation and across unique cultures, traditions provided this pilgrim a much-needed thread of continuity.
While some traditions naturally run their course and fade, there are those traditions that become classics. Like antiques, they grow more precious with time and are treasured and passed down from generation to generation. For our family, The Other Wise Man is such a classic.
Our Annual Guest
As David opened the cover, I thought back over the life of Artaban the Fourth Magi, who also saw the star and declared, “The King is coming, and I will go to meet Him.”
In this fictional account, Artaban’s three gems form the thread of the narrative: a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl. With urgency, he sets out to follow the guidance of heaven’s light. However, repeatedly, he is deterred and thus denied (so it seems) the completion of his journey.
Beyond being a beautiful literary work, this story offers inspiration. In Artaban’s humanness, we see holiness.
Understandably, you may ask, “What does it mean?” And the author himself answered that question: “If the meaning could be put into a sentence, there would be no need of telling the story.”
Now with Christmas near, may our Lord Jesus Himself thoroughly bless you and yours as you make memories, honor traditions, and celebrate the wonder of His birth.
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
“For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)
Perhaps 2025 is the perfect time to treat yourself and those you love to a new tradition and read The Other Wise Man. If your audience is young, the shortened and edited version retold by Pamela Kennedy is outstanding.
When God Calls an Audible
“Good morning! I must have a procedure, and I need a driver. Can you take me?”
What?! The usual delivery of a hot, steaming cup of rich black coffee and a tender kiss still accompanied my husband’s wake-up routine. However, unbeknownst to me, Larry had already been on the phone with the nurse at the data center in his cardiologist’s office. Indeed, his Loop Linc readings that he was in a-fibrillation and—even more alarmingly—his heartbeat raced to dangerous levels.
All at once, the morning’s soft hue went from dreamy to alarm. Mental triage kicked in: get dressed, grab coffee, and get out the door. Forget turning out the lights and lowering the thermostat. There is no time to calculate dollars and cents.
Then, the phone rang. “Mom, I need your help in getting ready for my 50th birthday party tonight. What do you think I should do for hostess gifts?”
Oh my! How do I break the news to my precious firstborn that now her dad and I are headed to the hospital downtown and not to her 50th birthday party in her hometown three hours away? But the situation — When God Calls an Audible — left me no choice. I spoke the truth, and she quickly grasped the gravity of our situation.
Amidst the swirl of activity, realization emerged. Not only was mental triage essential, but spiritual triage was crucial as well. The two needed to work in tandem.
But how? How can one find the equilibrium when life goes upside down? Here is what I learned.
Steps in a Spiritual Triage
1. Remember that God is the blessed controller of all things. (… the blessed Controller of all things, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” (1 Timothy 6:15 NLT 1996)
2. Respond with a life-giving choice. “In everything give thanks,” with emphasis on in. Don’t delay. Give thanks in, not when it is all over and the event is in the rearview mirror. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
3. Refuse to be bitter as we release the grip holding our personal plans. “Disappointment is inevitable; discouragement is a choice.” (C. Stanley)
4. Recognize that you and I have the resources needed to face the situation at hand. [“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) And, “God is able to make all grace abound to you that you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things will have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)]
5. Rest knowing that His supernatural Presence encompasses us. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2)
When God Calls an Audible, God Shows Up!
Thankfully, Larry responded successfully to the electrical cardioversion, where skilled medical personnel stopped and restarted his heart. At day’s end, we found ourselves sitting on a couch at home rather than standing around a cake illuminated with candles. Yes, sadly, we missed the party to celebrate a life, but we engaged in the urgent priority to save a life. And throughout the ordeal, God’s tender provision punctuated each challenge. Indeed, “My times are in Thy Hand.” (Psalm 31:15)
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
“For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)
Intimacy with Jesus
Authenticity with others
A passion for your calling
A purpose for your influence
Which spiritual triage step do you find helpful? Why?
Describe the last time God Called an Audible in your life.
What gave you help and hope in what you faced?
