Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

The amaryllis is perhaps one of my favorite symbols of new life in Jesus, carrying with it the message to rest in Christ and live expectantly. As with many traditions, my mother brought a red amaryllis bulb into our home at the beginning of the Christmas season.  My sister, Vicki, and I enthusiastically watched her bury the ugly brown bulb in a flower pot. Then, we helped her pat the soil around it.  As a young child it was hard to believe that a beautiful red flower would emerge from the dead looking bulb.  Every day we would check the bulb searching for green life.  Mother faithfully watered the plant and assured us, “It’ll grow.”  Finally, the day would come. We’d discover a tiny green stem protruding from the bulb.  Then the stem would grown before our eyes, becoming taller and stronger each day until finally, pregnant with life, it bloomed. That which had been brown and lifeless emerged with red, beautiful, showy flowers.  It was only natural that I continued the tradition with our children and explained the spiritual significance of each stage of the plant.  First, in order to be who Christ intends us to be, we must identify with Him in His death.  Dying to ourselves includes burying ourselves in the Bible to learn His ways.  It means filling our dry souls with the daily flow of the Holy Spirit who is as living water within us. We must also rest in Christ and trust Him for our growth, knowing that as my mother assured us about the amaryllis, “It’ll grow,” so we will one day emerge in heaven in full bloom.  So will our Christian children.  So be assured, sweet friends, in times when there seems to be no activity of no growth, “God is causing the growth,” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

3 Days til CHRISTMAS!  Do you need a last minute gift? How about a donation in honor of that special someone who already has everything? We’ll let them know of your thoughtfulness and our ongoing mission to spread the Word and love of Jesus. In the “notes” or “comments” section, provide the name and address of the person you are honoring. We’ll take care of the rest. Thank you! And remember, your donation is tax deductible. Questions? Email me: debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses… Acts 1:8

Do you have traditions that you carry on that were a part of your childhood Christmas memories? I do, and my mother decorating with poinsettias is one of them.  The poinsettia derives its name from Joel Robert Poinsett who brought the plant from Mexico to the United States in 1829.  Why do Christians like getting or giving poinsettias at Christmas? Their blood-red petals remind us of the blood Christ shed for our sins.  The green leaves remind us of the eternal life we have in Him.  The gold crowning center of the flower reminds us that Christ is the crowned King of heaven who reigns on high. The Poinsettia calls us to consider if Jesus is the crowning center of our life, if we worship and bow before Him, if we let Him reign over our thoughts, decisions, and behavior?  Just as I did not know about poinsettias until my mother introduced them to me, so we have friends and neighbors who do not know Jesus.  Why not give a poinsettia to an unsaved friend or family member and share why you like them? Introduce them to the true meaning of Christmas.

4 Days til CHRISTMAS!  Do you need a last minute gift? How about a donation in honor of that special someone who already has everything? We’ll let them know of your thoughtfulness and our ongoing mission to spread the Word and love of Jesus. In the “notes” or “comments” section, provide the name and address of the person you are honoring. We’ll take care of the rest. Thank you! And remember, your donation is tax deductible. Questions? Email me: debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com.

Oh! Remember to watch the magnificence of of Jupiter and Saturn tonight. As we do, we’ll be reminded of the STAR that guided the wise men. Oh, what a magnificent, wonderful Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit we have, sweet friends. Celebrate them! Love you.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14

A Christmas tree is often the centerpiece around which Christmas activity occurs. However, this Christmas, as we gather around the evergreen tree to sing carols or open presents, let’s turn our thoughts heavenward to the tree that stands at the centerpiece of our faith – the tree of life that stood in the Garden of Eden, the tree of life on which Jesus was crucified to secure our eternal salvation, the tree of life we will see in the New Jerusalem.

5 DAYS til CHRISTMAS!  Give a gift that will keep giving all year long. Prayers of My Heart JOURNAL – a place to  renew thoughts, develop gratitude, record God’s answers to prayers, and record what God places on your heart. Get it on Amazon. Get it HERE. 

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

You are the light of the world.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 7:14, 16

Ornaments decorate Christmas trees and reflect the lights on trees. As we observe them hanging on the branches and reflecting the lights, they are a reminder of the need for us to hang close to Jesus so we reflect His light. Ornaments also reflect the personality of the one who bought them. Likewise, Christians who hang close to Jesus reflect His personality – His love, joy, peace, and kindness. When I was a child we would sometimes bring the box of tree ornaments into the family room but not take the time to hang them on the tree for several days.  Wrapped and cushioned they remained in the box, not adorning the tree, not reflecting the tree lights, not showing forth the personality of the one who had purchased them.  May that not be said of us, sweet friends. Rather, may we each hang close to Jesus so we reflect His light and personality.

LOOKING for a LAST MINUTE GIFT?  Here it is: Prayers of My Heart JOURNAL to kick off 2021 with new thoughts, new optimism, fresh prayers, a place to record God’s answers, verses to memorize and encourage. Get it on Amazon. Get it from me. 

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:28

The evergreen wreath is a perfect symbol of Christmas.  The evergreen leaves signify everlasting life.  The circle symbolizes eternal life with God through Jesus Christ. Have you adorned your home with a wreath? If so, let it be a reminder of God’s gift to you of never ending, eternal life . Let it be a reminder of the importance of sharing the good news of Jesus with others. Let it be a prompt to check and see if the eternal Holy Spirit is filling your spirit so your countenance reflects Christ’s grace and love. The Christmas wreath. More than a decoration. A reminder.

Blessings, sweet friends, as the Christmas wreath reminds you of your eternal life and in that reminder, you are filled with joy.

LOOKING for a LAST MINUTE GIFT?  Yay! Here it is: Prayers of My Heart JOURNAL to kick off 2021 with new thoughts, new optimism, fresh prayers, a place to record God’s answers, verses to memorize and encourage. Get it on Amazon. Get it from me. Hurry!

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members INSTRUMENTS of RIGHTEOUSNESS to God. Romans 6:12-13

Musical instruments play a key role in the Christmas season. While the secular world plays jingles, Christians use music to encourage and bless others by focusing on Jesus’ birth.  Decorating with angelic harps and trumpets remind us to praise Christ our King, whose birth we celebrate. In addition, musical instruments remind us that Christians are God’s instruments.  We are instruments of His grace. We are instruments of His love.  In His hands, He can  use us to herald people to His throne. With that in mind, sweet friends, let us tune our hearts to God each morning.  Let us keep our thoughts and voices in harmony with Him.  Let us rest in the Master’s hands trusting Him to make all things beautiful in His time.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him.”Matthew 3:16

My mother loved birds and used them to decorate our home throughout the year.  At Christmas, doves found their way onto the boughs of the Christmas tree and served as a reminder of the Holy Spirit who rested on Jesus at His baptism. The Holy Spirit identified Jesus with God and empowered Christ. The Holy Spirit also rests on believers, identifies us with God, and empowers us to live for Christ. Bless you, sweet friends, as you think on the Holy Spirit who rests on Christ and rests on you this Christmas season.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

“Then Jesus spoke to them saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” John 8:12, Matthew 5:16

During the holidays many of us enjoy decorating our homes with outdoor lights.  Their glow provides light on overcast days and when night falls.  Lights beacon family and friends to the warmth of our homes.  Even so, Christ, the Light of the World, beacons us to His presence.  He lights the way to His Father’s home.  As do lights, candles add warmth to our homes.  Their warm glow reminds us of the Holy Spirit who warms our hearts and enlightens us to God’s ways.  Fragrant candles are a reminder that we are to be a fragrance of Christ to others.

Blessings, sweet friends, as you, like a candle, spread the light and fragrance of Christ to others.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:8, 20

The candy cane is not only festive, it is also symbolic for Christians.  The shape reminds us of the shepherd’s staff and of the shepherds in the field who heard the angelic announcement of Jesus, the Good Shepherd’s birth. In addition, the colors of the cane cane are symbolic.  The red stripes remind us of the stripes Jesus took on His back for our sins.  The white stripes remind us of Christ’s purity. And the sweet taste? A reminder of the sweet Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. This Christmas let the candy cane be more than Christmas candy. Let it be a reminder of Jesus and the real reason for the season.

Blessings, sweet friends, as you think on the incredible gift of Jesus this Christmas.

I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11