Advent Guide: You BelongSample

Rejoicing in the Lord Always – Not Just for the Christmas Season

My dad became a preacher when I was 8 years old. My brother and I immediately experienced a clear sign our lives would never be the same when the ski boat was sold the next day. Then, Christmas soon changed.

We had always spent Christmas Eve with my dad's family and Christmas afternoon with my mom's family. Suddenly known as the preacher's family, we were living in another community, away from family and the traditions we had always known.

It wasn't until I became an adult, that I came to appreciate our new circumstances and our lives so intertwined with the activities of the church my dad pastored.

There were always families who invited us to be a part of their Christmas traditions when we were unable to be with our own extended families. There were also times when we spent Christmas with just our family of four. When I became a parent, I began to appreciate how joyful and special times with just your immediate family can be.

In this time of my life, I tend to think about Christmas as a season rather than one particular day. Wherever we are, whomever we are with, whatever activity we are involved in, my family and I can celebrate and be grateful for the gift of Christ and how that gift eventually changed my life and that of the rest of my family.

With the busyness of Christmas, it's easy to focus on the earthly traditions, activities, or things we believe must be done. Nothing wrong with any of those, and as much as my family is intertwined with the celebration of Christmas, the focus must be on celebrating the birth of Christ during Christmas. Let all the rest be additions for the reason.

I invite you to pray this with me: God, help me to rejoice in the Lord always, and to always put you in the center of this earthly life, living in joy every day and not just for a season.

Tim Lancaster and his wife, Regina, have been married for 44 years and live in Lubbock, Texas. They have two grown sons: Chad and his wife, Lindsay, who are parents of Jack and Jet, and Chris and his wife, Meredith, who are parents of Shepherd, Hooper, and Banks. Tim retired a few years ago as CEO of Hendrick Health System in Abilene, Texas.

Don't forget to check out this week's activity for the whole family.