{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"25: The Christmas Episode","description":"Holidays like Christmas are usually filled with cheer, joy, feasts, decorations, and movie marathons. What if Christmas doesn\u2019t seem like Christmas anymore? Do you ever feel like Christmas and the holiday spirit skipped by? Today, we\u2019ll talk about spending the Christmas season with celebration and intention. Let\u2019s talk about keeping joy at the heart of Christmas. People come together during this magical time, and it\u2019s this kind of moment where we can make an impact. During this episode, I\u2019ll share the three acts of Christmas that allow us to feel more present during the holiday season as the year wraps up. It\u2019s true that we can celebrate with intention. Listen as I discuss the story of Christmas, and read scripture to help everyone see the story in a different light. We\u2019ll walk together through the three acts of Christmas: darkness, light, and being light-bearers. Each portion carries an important lesson to ground us during this Christmas season. We start off by recognizing the darkness. Then, we appreciate the light that comes to disperse the darkness. Later, we become the ones to share the light. In the episode, I provide more context on how each portion is connected. You can\u2019t really celebrate the light until you recognize the darkness. Then once you receive the light, you can be a light bearer. Use this Christmas season to live with intention around the three acts, and spread the holiday cheer with the people you come across. Even celebrating Christmas can be a calling where we celebrate intentionally. Friend, I\u2019m not sure how Christmas felt for you lately, but it\u2019s never too late to hop into holiday cheer. Listen to this episode for context on the Christmas acts, how you can incorporate the acts into this holiday season, and why Christmas can be purposeful in life. Hopefully, after today\u2019s podcast, we\u2019ll avoid any feeling of wasting Christmas or Christmas seeming empty by remembering these three acts of Christmas. Time stamps:  [00:18] - Do you ever feel like Christmas and the holiday spirit skipped by? [01:48] - Let\u2019s discuss the three acts of Christmas, starting with ACT 1: Darkness. [04:01] - When completely in the dark, there\u2019s anticipation for finding the light. [06:55] - There is preparation for the light. [08:38] - After the darkness, let\u2019s receive something brighter in ACT 2: Light. [10:57] - Light comes to disperse darkness. [12:52] - How do you feel when the light finally comes into your life? [15:39] - Retell the Christmas story in ACT 3: Being light-bearers. [17:09] - As light-bearers, we report the message, and retell the story. [18:42] - Everyone, I hope you have a wonderful and merry Christmas with the three acts.  Links:  Chris Heinz Chris Heinz Co.  ","author_name":"Christian Life Calling","author_url":"https:\/\/www.christianlifecalling.com\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/21467075\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/ff5600\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/117462443"}