It’s Advent. There are programs to rehearse, parties and presents, caroling and cookies, decorating. There’s a birthday to celebrate, and I want to do it “right” and make lots of memories with my family.

The words in this passage describe qualities my thoughts should be focused on every day of the year. “Think” in this verse means to weigh or ponder and take into account or fix my mind with a pointed effort. The call to action in this passage is to spend time thinking about whatever is excellent or worthy of being praised.

Consider the excellencies of God and his character traits: his unchanging love, his grace in sending his Son, the bringer of perfect peace and joy, the gift itself.

Does an elf on the shelf or a twinkling tree do that? Upon reflection, much of what I do in December is not as important as I make it out to be.

The birthday I’m racing to celebrate is my Savior’s. I sit in quiet wonder and pause over his admirable actions and noble sacrifice in making a way for me to come to the Father as his dear child.