Christmas Verbs

Isn't it crazy how we throw letters together and form words? And then group words together to form sentences, then into paragraphs, which bloom into lessons, stories, blogs. All to convey a message or information. And it all began with simple letters.

I'm guessing most writers are really into words, parts of speech, use of punctuation, and so on. As a student, I actually enjoyed diagramming sentences in English class. I wonder if that's taught anymore or has that too fallen away like the old-fashion spelling test.

Verbs have been on my mind lately. They're really busy little words conveying action because even ones like—wait, sit, hush, and stifle—require extra challenging action, aka restraint.  

As I read the Christmas story in the gospels recently, I paid particular attention to the verbs. Let me share my observations.

Gabriel greeted Mary with God's favor.

The Holy Spirit came with power and overshadowed Mary.

While in the womb, baby John the Baptist leaped for joy at Mary's greeting.

Elizabeth blessed Mary.

Joseph dreamed, obeyed,  and named Him Jesus.

An Angel appeared and delivered good news of great joy. A great company of angels praised.

The shepherds watched the angels, hurried and found the Babe then spread the Word.

The star led.

The Magi came to worship.  They opened their treasures and presented gifts.

Simeon waited for the Lord's Christ, cradled Him, saw the salvation and blessed His parents.

Anna spoke about the Child and redemption of Jerusalem.

The Word became flesh, full of grace and truth and dwelled with us.

And my personal favorite—

Mary wondered, believed, gave birth, treasured, pondered and marveled.

Lots of great verbs expressed above. Lots of action taking place.

The kind of action that Christmas demands of us today.

Greeting, blessing, dreaming, delivering, leaping, praising, watching, spreading, leading, worshipping, opening, presenting, waiting, cradling, seeing, speaking, dwelling, wondering, believing, giving, treasuring, pondering and marveling.  

These verbs sure beat the more common ones associated with Christmas. Like shop, spend, wrap, decorate, cook, eat, and rush.  

May our minds be amazed at the verbs of this season. And may these 2,059 letters formed into 394 words be a blessing to each of you.

I pray you and your family will actively experience a blessed Christ-filled, Christmas.

Please share your favorite Christmas memory. What action / verb made it so meaningful to you? 

Tammy Van Gils is a writer, blogger, and co-owner of S & N Paint Contractors, Inc. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Word Weavers International. In the Richmond area, she is a member of The Christian Writers Hub and Word Weavers Richmond. Visit her Facebook Page, Pinterest and Twitter @Tammyvangils.