I love Christmas . Always have. I guess I've always been different. I never understood, even as a kid, the frantic rushing around. I just loved ,even as an overly active child, being still in front of the glow of the Christmas tree.
My husband loves Christmas too. So much so that he roams the neighborhood Christmas Eve. He volunteers to help the young Dads put trampolines and basketball goals together.
As we've matured in our marriage, and our walk with God, we both see Jesus more clearly. The hoop la of drunken Christmas parties are no longer enticing. We have come to love small groups of friends, an excellent meal, good wine, and fellowship.
The world has tried to sell us the winter wonderland Santa Claus Christmas fairytale. Heck, I want the winter wonderland! The sleigh bells ringing. Santa flying high above on a moonlit Christmas Eve. The warm and fuzzy Norman Rockwell painting feeling.
The reality is that Christmas is not a happy time for many people ..gasp! Most people experience, at some point in their lives, sadness or disappointment during Christmas. Particularly if their joy is based on the idea of the Hollywood Christmas. The hope that "things" will bring us happiness based on how we've behaved all year.
I'm so guilty of this. When our girls were little we only gave three gifts. One for each gift the wise-man brought Jesus. But as the girls got older, and the pressures of having the best became greater, the three gifts morphed into three themes. Like most parents I wanted Christmas to be a "magical" wonderful time of the year filled with countless gifts of joy.
It wasn't until the past several years that I realized just how misleading Santa Christmases are. The most wonderful time of the year has become the most stressful time of the year. And guess what? We've all bought into the stress! We (me) try to recreate the perfect family photo, perfectly decorated home, perfectly busy "holiday" celebrations filling up our calendars. The pressure to get it perfect has surpassed getting "it" aka Jesus.
Jesus's birth represents peace. The fulfillment of new life. A King who is the ultimate gift. The One who came so that we may have life. We don't have to do anything. We don't have to be good. In fact, most of us were pretty bad by the time we said we believed. There's no pressure. No fancy flashy wrapping.
The greatest gift we can give others for Christmas? It is not expensive presents. The greatest gift, as followers of Christ, that we can give is love. Reaching out to the neighbor we seldom see. Lovingly preparing a meal for a widower. Remembering those who help us throughout the year: the postman, nurses, dry cleaners, the pharmacist, the UPS guy. A simple card of appreciation to a friend going through a difficult time. This is celebrating Jesus!
If you are feeling sad this week. Or stressed. Or lonely remember that you are going to get the most magnificent gift in just a few days. He will meet you right where you are. Jesus was born in a manger. God knew exactly where we needed to meet Jesus. Down in the muck right there with us. A gift of hope. Of promise. A gift of perfect love.
"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace"-Romans 8:6
