The Spirit of Christmas is not really like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Story where Ebenezer Scrooge had a midnight rendezvous with the Spirit of Christmas. When Scrooge saw the dreadful specter, his hair stood on end and he shook with terror. No, the real Spirit of Christmas is the Holy Spirit that brings life, peace, love, and joy. It’s the same Spirit that overshadowed the young virgin Mary and ushered in the true Christmas. What was it about Mary that got God’s attention and favored her with the Spirit of Christmas? How can we experience the Spirit of Christmas in a new, marvelous, and fresh way? (Read Luke 1:26-42.)

First – FAITH IN GOD. Without faith, one cannot experience the Spirit of Christmas or the blessings of God. (Read Hebrews 11:6.) It’s not a faith in fables or magic but faith in God Almighty – faith in His Word and promises. God let’s us know that Mary was from Nazareth – a tiny, infamous, and rough and tumble village. It was referred to with contempt by many, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” But God saw a young woman of absolute faith. Elizabeth prophecies that her cousin Mary was blessed because she, “Believed that the Lord would do what he said” (Luke 1:45).

Second – FAITH IN GOD’S SUPERNATURAL REALITIES AND MANIFESTATIONS. When the angel Gabriel appeared and announced that Mary was favored of God to give birth to the Messiah, she was not perturbed in seeing an angel, but wondered why God would so favor her. The Spirit of Christmas moves in God’s supernatural realities. The Holy Spirit is the agent of the miraculous. Mary believed and received it. To experience the Spirit of Christmas in our life and circumstances we must also.

Third – FAITH IN GOD’S GOODNESS, LOVE, AND FAVOR will enable you to experience the Spirit of Christmas. We can experience the real Christmas of God’s goodness, love, and favor each and every day of our life. Mary praised God with what has become known as ‘The Magnificat” (Mary’s Song of Praise). “Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl . . . For he, the Mighty One, is holy and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation . . . His mighty arm does tremendous things! . . . He has satisfied the hungry with good things” (Luke 1:46-55 NLT). This Christmas, believe to experience God’s goodness, love, and favor in your life.

Fourth – FAITH IN GOD’S SAVING POWER is what Christmas is all about. Mary rejoiced in “God her Savior”. (Read Luke 1:47.) Zechariah prophesied by the Spirit of Christmas that God had visited his people with redemption and sent us a mighty Savior. Zechariah’s son, John, would proclaim how to find salvation through the forgiveness of their sins by faith in Christ, who came to give us light, mercy, and peace. (Read Luke 1:67-79 and Matthew 1:22.) If you are not in the Spirit of Christmas, perhaps you have not put faith in the Christ of Christmas to save you from your sins and bring forgiveness and salvation.

Fifth – FAITH IN GOD’S PURPOSES AND PROMISES will enable you to experience the Spirit of Christmas. God not only has a purpose and promise for the world, but he has one for you personally. (Meditate on Luke 1:50-55, 67-79.) God desires to be with you and live in you by His Spirit. “And he will be called Immanuel (meaning God with us)” (Matthew 1:23).

Sixth – FAITH IN GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS ABILITY TO OVER SHADOW OUR INABILITY. Mary asked how she, a virgin, could bring forth the Christ child. The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). Christ’s birth was miraculous. Faith in God’s Spirit of Christmas will allow God’s ability to overshadow your inability.

Seventh – FAITH THAT THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES A BLESSED REALITY BY THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS. When Mary wondered how a virgin could conceive and bring forth the Christ, the angel Gabriel replied, “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Mary believed and received the blessing of Christmas.

Do you face a seemingly impossible situation? Like Mary, put faith in the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit of Christmas. “For nothing is impossible with God.” Experience the Spirit of Christmas afresh in your heart – put Christ in your Xmas.