Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

  • Home
  • About
  • Favorites
  • Policies
  • Contact

The Holiday Dork

December 11, 2020 by Lauren 22 Comments

This is a story about yours truly.  Not very many years ago, my friends threatened an intervention regarding my Christmas sweaters.  I wore them long past in vogue, but way before they came back in style as “ugly Christmas sweaters”.  (For context see the pic of my twin sister and I in our reindeer gear.)  I record ALL the Christmas programming just in case we have time to get to it before the holiday ends.  I scour the paper (back in the day) and the internet for festive activities to drag my family to – including my poor retail manager husband.  He works his tail off this time of year and yet I show him no mercy.

 

I want my decorations up the day after Thanksgiving, and the Christmas music to play exclusively then as well.  I even want Christmas carols at church for the whole month of December.  But alas, no one asks my opinion.  Several years ago I even invented a thankfulness tree.  It’s truthfully a veiled excuse to put the tree up November 1st (with leaves and pumpkins and decorative cards with the people and things we thank God for written on them) so that it’s easier and quicker to deck it in red and green once we finish the turkey and dressing!

 

If I had the only vote, I would watch exclusively Christmas movies and TV shows from December 1st through the 25th.  And since I do have the only vote on what I read, I set all but Christmas books and bible studies aside, even if I’m in the middle of something else!

 

I love all the Christmas things.  The lights, the wrapping paper and ribbon, the scarves and Santa hats, the cookies and smells.  I admit I get carried away.  I surround myself with cheesy, sappy sentimentality.  It’s over the top, but I don’t care.  Yes, Christmas was a magical time during my childhood.  But looking back excites me much less than looking forward.

 

Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus.  That happened over 2,000 years ago.  But I celebrate because He still lives, and He has big plans for me and all who believe.  God’s word tells us His plan.

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,  who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  1 Peter 1:3-6 NIV

 

God sent Jesus to earth to die – taking the punishment for all my sins and yours.  Because of this, believing in Jesus for salvation guarantees us a place with Him in heaven someday.  We call it an “inheritance” because we become His child.  And parents typically pass on good things to their children.  The Bible tells us that God does this times 1000 (Matthew 7:11).  And God protects us with His power until the time comes to go to Him.  That doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen to us (hello, 2020).  But that He doesn’t leave us alone to deal with the troubles we encounter in our time on a broken earth.

 

For these reasons I get fired up about Christmas.  Yes, even this year.  Because through all we suffer, He watches over us to fulfill His purposes in us.  And when His will is fulfilled, He rewards those of us who believe by His much more tangible presence in a perfect new home.  We have the victory, because that baby left heaven to come to earth.  Woohoo!

 

So my prayer for you is this:

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.  Romans 15:13 NIV

 

Merry Christmas!

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

If you are looking for something new to study in your time with the Lord, read Michele Morin’s compelling argument in Why You Should Read Isaiah this Christmas!

Grace and Truth_Rules

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace Truth_Button

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Christian, Christmas, grace, Grace & Truth Link Up, Jesus, joy, trusting God Tagged With: Christmas decorations, Christmas movies, Christmas music, Christmas sweaters

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    December 11, 2020 at 4:20 am

    It is my prayer that many will open their Bibles this season and be blessed by Isaiah’s beautiful words. Thank you for sharing my post!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 11, 2020 at 10:18 am

      It is my pleasure to feature your post.

      Reply
  2. Donna Reidland says

    December 11, 2020 at 8:41 am

    Lauren, I ordered some of that cinnamon tea. It’s sounds like a great hostess or spur of the moment gift.

    I, too, read Bev’s post with interest. I have thought for some time about how sad it is that we don’t think more about heaven. The Bible certainly encourages us to and tells us of the benefits of doing so. But I agree, at least until recently, we have made ourselves all too comfortable here.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 11, 2020 at 10:17 am

      I hope you ordered some for yourself, Donna. It is delish!

      Reply
  3. Donna says

    December 11, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    Lauren I loved your post! You’re unapologetic about your feelings, I love that! I especially appreciated how you are so into Christmas and why. Thank you for the reminder of the reason for season!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 11, 2020 at 5:56 pm

      Of course! Thank you for reading, Donna.

      Reply
  4. Jeanne Takenaka says

    December 11, 2020 at 3:20 pm

    Ahhh, Lauren, this post made me smile so big. 🙂 You remind me of a dear friend of mine who begins listening to Christmas music in July. 😉 I love the verses and the insights you share here.

    I’m so thankful that, even in hard seasons, Jesus is with us. His constant presence and unfailing love are an amazing gift to remember and celebrate any time of year!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 11, 2020 at 5:56 pm

      I’m so happy to make you smile. And I’m oh, so thankful for Jesus as well.

      Reply
  5. ratnamurti says

    December 13, 2020 at 4:28 pm

    Yes, so good to remember the real meaning of Christmas. But the rest of your post? Funny as – couldn’t stop chuckling xxxxx

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 14, 2020 at 10:38 am

      I’m glad you got a chuckle and that the most important thing shined through. Thank you for visiting!

      Reply
  6. Tea With Jennifer says

    December 14, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    I love your excitement about Christmas time Lauren, I have a stepdaughter who is similar!
    I have found this time of the year difficult since my late husband passed away from a brain tumor close to this time. The difficult emotions creeps up on me each year.

    Not the message of the reason for the season of course rather the social festivities & the emotional energy it takes out of me. So I know to be kinder to myself during this season 😀
    Blessings,
    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 15, 2020 at 3:57 pm

      I am so sorry that this time of year holds pain and grief for you. Praying right now that you find joy this year. And I’m glad to know you are aware of the self-care you need.

      Reply
  7. Laurie says

    December 15, 2020 at 4:15 pm

    Ha! You and your sister were trendsetters!!! I have often wondered why we don’t sing Christmas carols in church before Christmas. I guess it’s Advent – not Christmas, but still…

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 16, 2020 at 10:30 am

      We were something! Ha!

      Reply
  8. Maree Dee says

    December 16, 2020 at 12:06 pm

    I love your spirit of Christmas. You had me smiling. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 16, 2020 at 12:51 pm

      I’m so glad, Maree!

      Reply
  9. Shelbee on the Edge says

    December 16, 2020 at 1:29 pm

    Lauren, I love that you get that excited for Christmas! Your passion and enthusiasm are very contagious even to this grinchy girl! Thank you for sharing your light with the world! I hope you have the best Christmas ever!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 16, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      You are so sweet. And I can understand how you would feel grinchy this year. I have too. I hope your Christmas is everything you hope for.

      Reply
  10. Yvonne Chase says

    December 17, 2020 at 7:11 am

    It’s good to know I’m not the only Christmas dork although I’ve never owned an ugly Christmas sweater. Am I really a dork then?:-) Without Christ, there would be no Christmas and that’s the best and most important part of it all. I decided that I’m going to keep my Christmas tree up this year until it falls down.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 17, 2020 at 9:06 am

      I like that Christmas tree idea, Yvonne!

      Reply
  11. Sharon Hazel says

    December 17, 2020 at 9:56 am

    I’d forgotten that I have a ‘Christmas jumper’ tucked away somewhere, this could be the time to get it out again! Great encouragement from your post, yes with Jesus we can ‘overflow’ with hope, for He is our hope! Pinned to share 🙂

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      December 17, 2020 at 12:45 pm

      Thank you so much, Sharon. And if you do get the jumper out I want to see a pic!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
Read More

Subscribe for Updates

Enter your information below to receive the latest updates from the blog!

Recent Posts

  • An Election Year and Titus
  • Christmas is Over. Now What Do We Do With Jesus?
  • Thankful Thursday
  • Going Forward with Some Changes
  • First Friday Prayers: 2 Corinthians 12:10

Find Devotionals By Me in These Books and Click on Image for Order Information!

A 25-Week Bible Study with Topics from Abide to Zeal
A 26 week journey to a better prayer life.
30 devotionals for faith that moves mountains

For Sharing

Lauren Sparks

Like Podcasts? I’m on This One

…and This One! click to listen.

Click below to get a free trial of my favorite technology monitoring platform

Need More Than Just Monitoring? Find Filters and Accountability Here

Search This Site

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2025 Lauren Sparks | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

Stop!  Don't Miss Out!

I have a brand new e-book.  This was Not On My Bingo Card:  Essays on Cancer and Related Surprises is available to you FREE by simply subscribing to my blog!  

Invalid email address
I promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!