Summer camp has always been filled with surprise, but the kids could not have imagined what was about to happen.

July 25, 1933, the traditions of wintry December happenings descended on a steamy wilderness experience. No, it didn’t actually snow, but The Washington Post notes that Camp Keystone, a camp in North Carolina, inaugurated the first “Christmas in July” event when they celebrated with a Christmas tree, gifts, and even a visit by Santa Claus on a hot summer night.

Since then, the concept has expanded into virtually every corner of North American society. Camps and parks use it as a catchy summertime theme. Stores and communities leverage the marketing and advertising scheme to draw in otherwise slumping seasonal crowds. Even our own West Chester EnterTrainment Junction advertises, “Beat the heat with Christmas cheer and a mid-year check-up with Santa.”

Christmas in July. It is a wacky concept juxtaposing winter carols, snowy evergreens, and tales of the North Pole with the blistering heat of mid-summer, but it works. Who doesn’t love the option of joy, hope, peace, and presents anytime?

While you might not celebrate Christmas in July in any formal way, there’s no denying that summer is loaded with gifts. Often, this season allows for family reunions and time together around campfires, outdoor projects, vacations to destinations near and far, or “staycations” where we find time for rest and relaxation without leaving home.

If we force ourselves to step back from the traditions and assumptions of the holiday shtick, we quickly realize that the heart of Christmas is the pure delight that refreshes us during these summer months, too. Like Mary and Joseph, we join a journey that is lacking in specifics. Like shepherds in the fields, we stand in awe and amazement about the great news of God coming among us. Like the magi and the barnyard animals, we offer ourselves to Jesus, trusting that he’ll use us for his purpose.

The gifts of Christmas are being shared in our faith communities this summer, too. God continually meets us in moments of worship and conversation together. Our Vacation Bible School declared over and over, “Jesus is the Light of the World,” as we explored new territories of faith. Office and narthex renovations renew gathering spaces to meet our changing needs, like when we create additional room for the Christ child to take up residence among us. We wait with eager anticipation for seminary student Lucas McSurley to land here mid-July to begin a two-year internship. At the end of the month, 20+ of our people will be heading to West Virginia to live and serve among those strangled by poverty.

Christmas is this July. Don’t miss it. God is with us. Immanuel continues to come. The gifts of the Christ child continue to surprise and amaze us. There may not be Christmas trees, mistletoe, and snowy sidewalks, but amazing and unexpected gifts continue to arrive daily.