The Subtle Entrance- Preparing Our Hearts for the Season

By Merideth Tullous

This fall, we sit down over a plate of turkey and stuffing to reflect on family, friends, and simple joys. The meal itself is usually plentiful and well-thought out, but the rest of the day is usually spent in a food-stupor on the couch while enjoying quality time with family.

Thanksgiving is an important holiday, yet it subtly arrives each year. Thanksgiving is pretty humble that way, it doesn’t demand a grand entrance. It always seems to fill not only our bellies, but our hearts with lasting satisfaction.

Then comes Thanksgiving eve! At the stroke of midnight, the retail doors open wide and we race to grab the best ‘deals’ for Christmas. The day after Thanksgiving seems to be the green light for the Christmas chaos to begin. We deck our halls with trees, stockings, and tinsel. Most folks can be found hanging lights on their rooftops or out shopping. “Mr. Christmas” always has quite a grand entrance.

Society quickly gets caught up in the gift-buying, wrapping-paper hording, Christmas-event-every- weekend whirlwind. In a Christmas court of law, we would politely plead guilty to the above-mentioned crimes.

Now before you give me coal in my stocking, let me explain that I am guilty too. My family loves the magic of Christmas. Our house is decorated, Christmas carols are playing, and the children are sporting their matching holiday pajamas. Guilty as charged, I have gifts under the tree from the way-before-Christmas sales. And don’t get me started on the jammed packed holiday event calendar! However as each year passes, I find myself craving a simpler Christmas- a more meaningful Christmas.

I was inspired by my son’s unselfish letter to Santa Claus to write a children’s Christmas book. The main question posed in the book has caused a massive shift in our family, “What does Santa want us to remember?”

The picture book illustrations erupt with Christmas spirit, yet Santa points us to what’s truly important in life. We get a glimpse into Santa’s heart and we see that he is humble. Santa needs no grand entrance, he doesn’t seek credit. In fact, he works all year in the North Pole making toys, yet comes when everyone is asleep to deliver them. To him Christmas is not about the actual gifts, it is about the state of the heart.

Matthew 18:2-4 instructs us to become like children. Young children are humble, teachable, pride-less, and free from sinful thoughts. Yes, over time some of that might change. But the Bible is clear to say that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must humble ourselves like a child- fully relying on God. Matthew 18:2-4 is a lesson for us to examine our hearts. My son’s letter to Santa proved to be the Lord calling me to look at the state of my heart.

Like Santa, the Savior of the world arrived in the middle of the night while the world was sleeping. He arrived with no fanfare, no parade, no decorations.

And as Santa’s gifts showcase the state of his heart, so we see the fullness and unlimited depth of God’s heart continued in the book of John. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John, 3:16 NIV). One silent night, God sent his only Son knowing full well what Christ would have to endure. God sent a baby to give us hope, to teach us, and to save us.

So, maybe I should take a few holiday pointers from humble, ol’ Thanksgiving. Maybe I should start by quietly preparing my heart for the season. With events of the world today, we are all craving lasting satisfaction which can only be found with Jesus.

In our home, we will continue to sing carols, watch Christmas movies, and bake cookies for Santa. But in this year’s Christmas court of law, I will boldly plead guilty to proclaiming that Christ was born. I will pray often that my heart is in the right place. As a parent, I will plead guilty so that my children can be guided towards the unfathomable love of God. We will prioritize quality time, give thanks, and REMEMBER the greatest gift of all.

Merideth Tullous has spent her career in the professional ballet industry. Her most notable contribution was redesigning and managing a now fully-funded community ballet program which reaches thousands of local children-giving them free access to the arts. She has a love for teaching children and has most recently released her first Children’s Christmas book, A Gift to Remember. To learn more about Merideth’s book or to contact for guest articles or speaking engagements, visit www.meridethtullous.com.