Christmas in July: Wednesday in the Word

Christmas in July. From what I’ve seen, you either love it or hate it.

Those who hate it, seem to think those who love it are Christmas fanatics. They seem to believe the pro- Christmas in July people are the ones ready to skip right past Thanksgiving and employ a Christmas 24/7 mentality beginning on November 1st. They’re also the last ones to remove their trees, some waiting until February to do so.

Of course, those who are pro- Christmas in July tend to paint the Christmas only in December people as modern day Scrooges, waiting to snuff out all things festive. They see them as the ones who wait until Christmas Eve to do shopping and decorating, and they believe all remnants of the holiday will be purged by December 26th.

I don’t think either stereotype is completely right. And personally, I enjoy fresh reminders of Christmas sporadically through my year. When summer is at its hottest, I enjoy revisiting winter through a good Christmas movie. (Summer heat and I are not friends.)

But it’s more than that. The love evident in the Christmas story, the lengths God went to in offering us salvation from our sins, and the call to give to others with the same love God showed to us are what Christmas is all about. When I take time to focus on Christmas in July, I also remember those things are not reserved for December’s celebrations.

I remember that God is love. I remember that God so loved the world He gave His only Son. I remember that when I confess my sins, God is faithful to forgive them. I remember God’s call to be His representative to those in the world. That includes caring for widows and orphans. That includes doing all things in the same spirit of love that God showed to me.

Whether we’re pro- Christmas in July or not, each of us should be pro- the true spirit of Christmas in July and December and every other month of the year. Giving and receiving God’s love should be something we’re excited about all year long.

An announcement:

This year, on October 10th, I’m releasing my first devotional book. Reflecting on Christmas Past blends 31 devotional readings with journaling pages for reflection and Christmas memories. I can’t wait for you to read it, and I’m excited to share the cover with you today. I think it’s perfect!