On my much-needed morning run through the neighborhood the day after Thanksgiving, I noticed a beautiful Christmas display in the yard of a home tucked away in a cul-de-sac. The lights, the images, the sounds all pointed to the wonder of Christmas, but I thought to myself, “Why would the homeowners go to all that trouble? They’re in a cul-de-sac. Who’s going to see it?!”
Of course, the homeowners have a few neighbors, along with straggling, breathless runners who will come by. And they likely have children or grandchildren who will enjoy it all. So, there’s no judgment.
But it did remind of this: We love beauty. Our hearts search for it. We’re captivated by it.
We love beauty. Our hearts search for it. We’re captivated by it.
On average, American’s spend $269 each year on Christmas decorations. But that’s just the beginning. Hobby Lobby, for example, who specializes in home décor, generated $7.7 billion in revenue in 2022!
We love to be surrounded by beautiful things.
Everyday Beauty Seekers
That stunning picture of a sunset floods our social media feed because someone stopped to take the shot and share it. And we love it.
We upgrade our kitchens and bathrooms, not because they do not function, but because beauty and order make us feel something we want to keep feeling. We mow our yards, trim our hedges, and hang potted plants because we want to step outside and see beauty.
We find art and music with a certain ascetic that appeals to our senses and captures our imaginations. And we can even enjoy that when no one else is around because something in our soul—in our inner being—longs for beauty.
But every beautiful thing leaves our hearts longing for more, longing for a Person who is the greatest beauty of all.
Every beautiful thing leaves our hearts longing for more, longing for a Person who is the greatest beauty of all.
Front Row Seats to the Beauty of Christmas
On the first Christmas morning, unnamed, working-class shepherds in a lonely field watching a herd of baaing sheep were reassigned to be an audience of an angel of the Lord who displayed the glory of the Lord and who then pulled back the curtain on a multitude of heavenly host announcing the birth of the Messiah.
It was a remarkable display for many reasons, but the shear grace of God to invite these obscure men on the backside of nowhere to experience the beauty and grandeur of heaven should encourage us all.
Not Just Beauty
The first Noel wasn’t just beautiful. It was dangerous and unsettling for Mary and Joseph. It was terrifying for the shepherds. It was troubling for Herod. And it was a declaration of war on Satan, sin, and death for God Himself. But in the midst of all of that, it was beautiful.
It was full of light, and joy, and hope, and gladness of heart. It was the ultimate masterpiece that ushered in our ultimate satisfaction.
So, while it’s likely that your life is not exactly a Hallmark Christmas movie, keep decorating. Turn on the lights. Hang the garland. Grab some hot cocoa and play those classic Christmas vinyls. And when you do, turn your heart to the most satisfying beauty of all—Jesus of Nazareth, the “Desire of All Nations” (Haggai 2:7).
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EVERYONE’S WILSON | THE EVERYONE’S WELCOME NETWORK
I’m the Executive Director of Everyone’s Wilson and The Everyone’s Welcome Network—a Gospel-driven community transformation initiative. Our mission is to unite the Church to engage the community, so everyone thrives. Very simply, we’re passionate about helping Jesus-loving people live like missionaries in their local community through prayer, equipping, collaboration, and service.
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