We are only 21 days out from Christmas! I am curious where your head and heart are, as we enter into the heart of the holiday season. Because I’m much goofier than people may realize, I feel it only fitting to start this conversation by figuring out which iconic Christmas character you most identify with.

Are you the Grinch?

I think of the Grinch and I think of the scene where he is overwhelmed by all the noise, noise, noise. The ribbons and bows. The meal and the gifts. The activities and excitement. It is simply too much! So he slinks away to his Grinchy cave and marinades on how he can make it all stop. Is that you? Are you feeling 10 shades of green and grinchy about what it will mean to make it through another holiday season?

Are you Charlie Brown?

Or, maybe you are Charlie Brown and you just don’t get it. In fact, you may feel even down and saddened by the holiday season. Maybe your tree feels droopy and like everyone else is dancing to a different beat than you. Mopey and sad as you approach Christmas.

Are you Frosty the Snowman?

Or, are you Frosty The Snowman? Delighted. Captivated by the holiday season and feeling jolly but also aware that the season has a life of its own. After all, even though the holiday season made Frosty come alive – with the help of a top hat – the entire movie Frosty was on the verge of melting. Maybe all the activity has you on the verge of a meltdown too?

Be Confident in the Happy Ending 

If you feel a kindred spirit with any one of these characters I want to say – that’s okay. I think if we are being honest, most of us cycle through each of these iconic cartoon characters from time to time. But can I’d like to offer this encouragement: Each one of those stories has a happy ending.

In the end, the Grinch’s heart grows in size and the beauty of Christmas captivates Him.

Charlie Brown – the most redemptive of all – learns the true meaning of Christmas and finds what he was looking for.

And that sweet Snowman – although he melts –  is brought back to life and his magic lives on.

If these fictitious characters can have happy endings this holiday season, I am certain that we can too.

One More Christmas Character

We are all pulled in so many directions and the holiday season picks up speed and Christmas day draws near. Most of them are amazing and fun things – from gifts to parties, decorations, to fun make believe (hello elf on the shelf). But even the good things can distract us from the very best thing – Jesus. 

To that end, I just realized there is one iconic Christmas character we didn’t talk about yet. One that should be our model of head and heart alignment, this holiday season. The Little Drummer Boy.

The Little Drummer Boy was laser focused on pursuing his King. Every rhythm he played was in worshipful adoration of our Savior. Every move he made was motivated by a desire to honor Emmanuel, God with us. He didn’t honor Jesus with amazing decorations, by attending all the events, or by capturing a Pinterest-perfect picture. He honored His true king with what he had in his hands at that moment, and with the gifts and talents he had been blessed with. And he made Jesus a priority.

I want to be him this holiday season. What about you?

How can we all be like The Little Drummer Boy? I suggest it is time we enter into a head and heart space of Advent.

Within the Christian traditions there is recognition of Advent, a season where we should expectantly prepare our hearts and minds for Jesus. In the four Sundays leading up to Christmas we focus on Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy. I’m curious which of those four, which you are craving most right now? 

Hope

Is it hope you are hungry for? Psalm 130:5 states  “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.” 

Peace

Is it peace your heart wants most? John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Love

Are you eager for more love this Advent season? Remember Romans 8:39, “Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Joy

Would you like joy? Romans 15:13 urges, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Practical Steps to Take 

As you consider what you need most, to prepare for Advent in a way that earnestly pursues Jesus, I have two practical steps I suggest you take.

First, I’d love for you to find a worship song that helps you feel a direct connection to the Father. One that I love is, “Come to Save Us,” by All Sons & Daughters. Keep this song at your fingertips, add it to your playlists, and use it as a way to step back into an Advent-state-of-mind when the seasons starts to swirl.

Second, find a scripture verse that can be the words you cling to and the truth you grab onto with both hands. One that I love for this season is found in Psalm 119:114, “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Don’t let the holiday season rob you of the beauty of the Advent season. Use this verse to help you find a rhythm again.

When you find yourself slipping into Grinchy-ness or discouraged like Charlie Brown. Or if the season is causing you to melt away like Frosty, find your Rhythm like the Drummer Boy. Lift up your voice to the Father in a worship song that is a special connection between you and Him. Recite and remember your scripture verse that immediately gets your head and heart back into a place of awe and wonder for all that God has done for you. I think you will be surprised how adjusting your head and heart alignment to be focused on Jesus will help the other challenges fade away. It will help you enter into a worshipful place of Advent.