Celestial Diary

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We’ve got three more days till 2025! I’m sure this past week has been a whirlwind—cleaning the house, last-minute shopping, visiting friends and family, socializing, gaining a few extra pounds, work, kids on holiday… With all the chaos of the season, I’m sure we still managed to have some fun. Christmas, as usual, was a busy day filled with family, friends, and laughter. And I have to say, I’m feeling pretty content. Not only did I get some amazing gifts (including everything on my wishlist), but I also had the privilege of spoiling my loved ones with some extra-special presents. I took the scripture quite literally: “To whom much is given, much is expected” (Luke 12:48).

The day before Christmas, something struck me. I can’t remember exactly where I heard this or who said it, but it made me think—I got everyone a gift, except the one we were actually celebrating! Imagine going to a birthday party, getting everyone a present, but forgetting the person whose birthday it is. Ridiculous, right?

Now, I’m not here to complain about how Christmas has evolved over the years, or the different meanings we’ve attached to it. Instead, I want to remind us all that amidst the jolly chaos, we shouldn’t forget why we’re celebrating. Sure, Jesus probably wasn’t born on December 25th, but since we as Christians have chosen to celebrate Him on that day, we might as well honor Him properly.

As I reflected on how generous I had been this season, I started to think a little deeper. What can I offer someone who already has everything? If Jesus had a wishlist, what would be on it?

The answer is simple: Jesus doesn’t want material things. He wants my life. And given that my relationship with Him has been a bit up and down, why not make the decision to rededicate myself to Him as a birthday gift? Not just by saying, “Lord, I dedicate myself to You,” but by truly thinking about what that means and how I can make it happen. It shouldn’t be like another New Year’s resolution that starts strong but fizzles out after a few weeks.

It means reflecting on myself: What have I done well this year? What mistakes have I made? What can I improve on? Where might I have disappointed Jesus? When have I neglected or ignored Him?

To make this even more concrete, I wrote a bunch of questions for myself for the year ahead. By this time next year, I want to look back at these questions and be able to answer them with a positive response.

Not only would this be a beautiful gift to my Savior, but it’s also the best gift I could give myself. What’s greater than having a solid relationship with Jesus?

I hope that amidst all the fun, we can still be mindful of this truth.

As the year wraps up, I’m sure many of us are thinking about New Year’s resolutions and plans for our future. Let’s not forget to include God in these plans. I’m not talking about the fasting and prayer on the 31st, though that’s important too. I mean the behind-the-scenes reflection and personal confession.

Personally, I want to leave my old self behind in 2024. There are so many areas where I’m still lacking, and unless I consciously make the choice to change, I’ll always find an excuse for why nothing improves. There’s a reason it’s called “killing the flesh/old self”—it’s not meant to be easy. It’s a conscious choice we have to make.

So, while you’re greeting your loved ones over the next few days, remember God too. Don’t get too caught up in the hustle and bustle, and make sure you end the year better than you started.

I look forward to meeting you all alive and well in 2025!

Stay Blessed x