A mass of people gathering in a room too small around a tiny camera balanced on several encyclopedias, families wearing matching tacky sweaters, and we can’t forget about the 9 pound fruitcake that no one eats. Maybe it’s the caroling around your neighborhood in below freezing conditions? Whatever it is, we all have traditions, and some aren’t all that bad.
Think about the traditions you have in your own family. Some are good and some are just bearable. Either way, it is important to remember one thing. Family. Many people struggle with the holidays because they no longer have family nearby. For some, they’ve lost family to serious illness or a tragic death. Christmas isn’t always the “Joy to the World” kind of season that some experience. What kind of season is it for you?
Some struggle with the stress of all there is to do just to get it all done. Buying gifts, wrapping gifts, cooking food, eating food, getting rest, and trying to hold it all together wears us down. Maybe the song should be, “Joy to the World, Christmas is Done.” Perhaps it should be, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, We’re Shedding Nothing but Tears!” If we’re honest, many of us feel that way. The shops begin their Christmas season before the Halloween masks are even off the shelves and Thanksgiving is just an excuse to sell things cheaply but never at cost. No one’s losing money……except US! Before Christmas gets here, we’re ready for it to be OVER! With just a few days left before Christmas, it is a good time to ask the question, “Am I that person?” Am I ready for Christmas to be over before it’s even here?
What’s robbing you of your joy and the wonder of Christmas? Whatever it is, it isn’t worth it. What is worth it is Jesus. Not to be cliché, but if Jesus is the reason for the season, why do we make it about so much more…or so much less? When Christmas becomes more about us and less about Jesus, it becomes more about the stress of the season and less about the Savior of the world.
Remember, what the angels said?
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).