Reclaiming Christmas for Christ
Nine years ago my sweet grandma “Nana” went home to heaven just four days before Christmas. I remember all the decorations, music, and presents seemed so hollow that season. It just wasn’t enough. From that time on, Christmas became difficult for me to celebrate. I began praying, “Lord, reclaim Christmas in my life.”
Several years later I worked on a Christmas card for DaySpring that had a wreath on it. I couldn’t think of anything to say. I remember praying in desperation, “Lord, I can’t write this card. You’re going to have to do it through me.” Within five minutes a piece entitled, “The Meaning of the Christmas Wreath” was done!
DaySpring Creative Director Heather Solum later came to me and asked if I would write a similar piece for a snowflake and then one for a snowman. With each piece, the writing came together. I found that I had a passion for “reclaiming Christmas” by taking back the secular symbols associated with it and tying their meaning to Christ instead.
The Meaning of the Snowflake
Every new snowflake comes to the earth
as a picture of our Saviour’s birth
because they are sent from up above
and remind us of God’s care and love.
Each one is so intricate and small
because Christ sees the details of us all,
and just as two are never the same
the Lord knows and calls us each by name.
Snowflakes gently cover the world in white
and hide what’s unlovely from our sight,
showing us how He covers our sin
and gives us His grace when we come to Him.
So may every snowflake bring Christ to mind
and in every bit of white may you find
a reason to celebrate anew
and a reminder of His love for you.
I also got to be a part of the Jesus is the Gift movement started by DaySpring. It seeks to return Christ to the center of Christmas in creative new ways. You’re invited to visit Jesusisthegift.com to find out more and receive free tools and resources.
Each year I think about the times I asked God to “reclaim Christmas” in my life after my Grandma went to heaven. He has answered that prayer in ways I couldn’t have imagined by allowing me to redeem Christmas for others too.”
God has also allowed me to honor the legacy of my Grandmother. She owned a Christian bookstore for about thirty years and was thrilled to have a granddaughter working at DaySpring. After she died, I read her journal. In one section, she wrote about the bookstore and how it played a role in leading me to DaySpring. She closed by saying, "God smiled down again as He sees His plans completed that He began 25 years ago."
I’m not the only one at DaySpring with a story like this or a passion for reclaiming Christmas. Each member of our team could share something different with you. I’m sure you could do the same and we’d love for you to send us your stories.
Echoing the words of my Grandma, I pray God smiles down again as He sees all of us work together to fulfill His plan of reclaiming this season for Christ.
Blessings,
Holley Gerth, DaySpring Writer
