Anyone who knows me at all knows that I love everything about Christmas in an unhealthy way. I’m the person who has the house completely decorated mid-November, loves peppermint-flavored-everything, listens to Christmas music 24 hours a day, watches the cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, drags my husband to look at Christmas lights and watch parades… I mean you name it, I’m there.
And each year, I pack up my 17 boxes of decorations. Peppermint flavored goodies become unavailable in stores. Wrapping paper and empty packaging fills the garbage cans. My new “toys” bring temporal joy. And Christmas is over. just like that. 3 months of build-up, and it’s over in 24 hours. What do we turn to now?
Although I too easily forget it, my hope is not in these commercialized customs and trinkets. These traditions and novelties are distracting and fun, but oh so trivial. So shallow. So unfulfilling.
Praise Jesus that my hope is in something much deeper and fulfilling. My hope is rooted in an everlasting foundation. My joy is found in Him alone.
Why is it so hard to stay focused on the true “reason for the season”? Why do we allow ourselves to get caught up in the commercialized, materialistic aspects of the holiday? Literally every advertisement screams “SALE! You need this toy for your kids. TODAY ONLY get this deal for half off! You need this new HOT ITEM! Treat yourself! Treat your family!” “Santa is coming! Better be good! Elf on the Shelf is watching you…” (I have my own thoughts about this…. I’ll save that for another post.) (actually I can’t help it…. what ever happened to behaving year-round because we are supposed to? Does it really take a creepy stuffed elf to make our kids behave? How about, “JESUS commands us to do HIS will, not Santa’s?” okay, I’ll stop.)
So how can we take time out of the insane busyness of December? (My husband and I just went over our calendars and OMG. stuff. every. night.) How can we avoid the temptation to fall into the traps of commercialism? How can we teach our kids that this holiday is about SO MUCH MORE than gifts and Santa and lights? How can we balance the joy and excitement of decorations and gifts with the love and grace that Jesus has shown us? How can we truly celebrate Him coming into the world so many years ago to SAVE US?
I believe it starts with our hearts. Where is your heart? Is your heart more concerned with decorating or spending time with Him? Is your heart more focused on shopping than spending quality time in His word with your family?
What if we put up decorations that reminded us of His coming into the world instead of promoting a fictional man in a red suit? What if we shopped for those who have much less than we do, rather than spending insane amounts of money on toys and trinkets that will break or be forgotten within a month? What if we delivered hot meals to homeless rather than sitting in the long line at Starbucks for a hot drink for ourselves? What if we took time to teach our children that this holiday is NOT ABOUT SANTA? What if we spend time each evening going over the story of Mary’s journey, His arrival, and the implications it had & still has on our world? What if you did an Advent study by yourself, with your spouse, or with your family? What if we actually heard the words of the Christmas songs we sing? (No, not Rudolph or Jingle Bells. The songs that are actually about CHRISTmas.)
Friend, please understand that my intention is not to beat you up over this. I’m right there with you. I get caught up in the ridiculous crap associated with this season. I dragged my entire family out this evening so I could buy more decorations for my house. I’m preaching to myself with this entire post. But I refuse to go through another Christmas season the same way I have in the past. I long to truly cherish the sweet moments with my family, while also cherishing time praising Him. I want to attend gatherings while also carving out silent, slow moments to read the Word. I want to serve those that are less fortunate than me with a pure heart; not just to check something off a list. I want to truly celebrate the fact that He came into this world thousands of years ago so that I could have life eternal. I want to praise God the Father for sending his own Son to save me. I want to tell others that we can have hope because of His birth in a lowly manger in a stable in Bethlehem.
My prayer is that you will do the same. I pray that you don’t fall victim to the ideas that the world has created around this season. I pray that you balance the busyness with quietness. I pray that you make time for the One who made time for you.
Utilize these resources to help you do just that this season.
John Piper: Good News of Great Joy (a free download eBook)
Weekly Online Devotional from LifeWay (free)
This advent lesson for children is written for a Sunday school class, but can easily be adapted to use in your home.