Christmas is fun, isn’t it? I’ve been enjoying so many of the things that kick off the season, and excited to have my gift-list almost all checked off. It can also be a really tough time for so many people. Honestly, even a trip to Costco on a Saturday can require a lot of brave from us. (Or crazy, you pick.)

Last week, I started sharing about some courageous choices we can all make this Christmas, to make our Christmas more meaningful. If you missed the first part, go check it out here. Don’t feel like you need to make all these choices, like another holiday checklist. Even just one small change can make all the difference, can’t it?

Ready to dive in to choices #3 and #4? Let’s go!

Courageous Choice #3: Choose to Show Up

A few years ago, we were in the final throes of a season of challenge that seemed to never end. It was a season that sucked the life out of us in many ways. But, we kept plugging on. Most of the time, I just wanted to hide out in my basement, doing crafts, to be honest. Sometimes I was too tired to show up for my own life, let alone anyone else’s. And then a friend gently encouraged me, spoke wisdom and truth into me, and convinced me that I could show up for my life again. Despite hurt. Despite disappointment. Despite circumstances that still hurt.

Things didn’t miraculously get better. They were still hard, and there were still challenges. But, in the midst of it, I was choosing to show up.

Mary, after she opened that door to the angel and got life-changing news, could have shut herself up and hidden herself away for nine months until she got this all figured out or pulled herself together. Instead, Luke says that after a few days she hurried off to see Elizabeth – the person Gabriel had identified as a person who would understand how God can make the impossible possible. She showed up. And even as she showed up, Elizabeth confirmed the amazing thing that God was doing that would change human history forever.

We have to show up when it’s not easy, friends. Showing up at that Christmas party or Christmas dinner might be the hardest thing we’ll do this season. Or showing up for New Year’s Eve, even though our spouse has left us, or our grief is so deep that we don’t want to welcome a new year.

Let’s be the women, like Elizabeth, who make it possible for others to show up in the middle of their crazy circumstances. We can show up together.

Your turn:

What have you avoided showing up for? What do you know you need to show up for?

We only have so much capacity, right? What do you have to stop showing up for?

Courageous Choice #4: Choosing to Respond with Praise

Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s welcoming words teaches us so much. When Elizabeth affirmed that Mary was mothering the Saviour of the world, Mary didn’t respond in arrogance (which we might, if we were in her shoes) or with complaint (which we also might, if were in her place.) She responded by taking God at His word. Believing that He was with her, and that she was loved and favoured by Him.

You are also loved and favoured by God, friend. You are. The Bible says it, and I believe it. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it. And honestly? For some of us, believing that will be our most courageous choice.

But Mary didn’t stop there. In the Magnificat – some of the most lovely words – she recounted God’s goodness. His faithfulness in generations past, and His faithfulness to generations to come. When we believe the faithfulness and character of God, and choose to respond to our circumstances with praise, we move the needle not just one degree, but often, a full ninety degrees. We take our eyes off our circumstances, and onto the One who works all things together for our good. What a gift. It has been my experience that when I remember God’s faithfulness and His character, I am given remarkable courage that does not rely on me.

Your turn:

What circumstances do you need to lift your eyes off of, so that you can lift your eyes up? Where do you need to turn complaint into praise?

Imagine, friend, how our Christmas might be different, if we choose courage. Courage to open doors, to show up, to listen to the right voices, and to choose praise instead of complaint.

Let’s try together, okay?