What Is Your Christmas Prayer?

My walk in the parking lot led me to the local hobby store. Inside the building, I reached into my pants pocket to retrieve a list of items needed for making crafts with our grandchildren. Summer had arrived and school was out of session. As I entered the store, I stopped and listened. Christmas music was playing on the loudspeaker. The owners had not waited for “Christmas in July.” This was “Christmas in June.” I wondered why the store was filled with Christmas items at this time of year. I considered how I could silently offer a Christmas prayer when the temperature outside was almost 100 degrees.

Wreaths hung on hooks attached in rows from ceiling to floor. Red and green wrapping paper tubes lined shelves on several aisles. Ornaments of various sizes and shapes filled other shelves. As the store speaker continued to play familiar Christmas songs, I became distracted by the beautiful items offered for purchase. I forgot my reason for entering the building. I walked each aisle of holiday displays and started to smile.

My first thought about seeing the “out of place and time” decorations was dread. “Oh, no. They’re trying to rush Christmas. Summer isn’t fully here yet and the holiday sales have started.”

Then, God paused my thinking and placed a manger scene before me.

The “reason for the season” is not only a saying at certain times of the year. That manger scene reminded me of the importance of remembering the birth of Jesus in every moment, not only on specific days.

How could I show His love to others in the store now that my focus had changed from me to Him? My answer came quickly. Pray. Say a silent Christmas prayer. Pray for the shoppers and employees to know God. Pray for the workers who placed each item on the shelves and displays. Pray for those folks who would not be able to visit this place and enjoy seeing the decorations. Pray for children who would exclaim shouts of joy when seeing the bright colors and lights of Christmas. Pray for those children to know God.

Yes, my prayers began and continued as I walked through the store. Yes, I finally found the craft aisle and the things I wanted to purchase. The experience of seeing Christmas decorations early in the year reminded me of the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Christ, share His love, and pray for others at Christmas and at all times.

As I waited in the checkout line, I listened to folks discuss their like and dislike of having the decorations available early in the year. With each chat, I smiled and wondered if they had considered a Christmas prayer.

What is your Christmas prayer? How can you show His love at Christmas? In what ways can His love be shown in every moment?

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

In His Name,

Melissa Henderson