The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and if it is, it doesn’t mean it will make you any happier. I’ve been stressed out over Christmas lately. Even though I started to plan back in October I am still not ahead. My children are getting excited (as they should be) and their Christmas lists are growing almost daily. I want so much not to disappoint them, but I secretly wish we could go back to a simpler time when “bigger is better” wasn’t the status quo. As much as I love gifts, I would rather do away with them for this year and focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
Without Jesus, we wouldn’t have anything to celebrate. If God had not sent Him, we wouldn’t have the most precious gift of all. God sent Him because He loves us so very much. Christmas is a time to share that love with each other and out into the world beyond. Unfortunately for us humans, that isn’t always easy to put into action.
This Christmas hasn’t met my expectations so far. I’m ashamed to say it, but I often get my own hopes up (even after preparing a couple of months in advance). I’ll get this idea in my head of how something should go and all that I will accomplish, and then slowly fall to pieces when things starts spiraling downward. A part of me wishes that my December calendar wasn’t full of programs, concerts, extra services and extended family get togethers. I wish it were a time to slow down, to stay home, and to recharge a bit before going into the new year. Sometimes traditions can be draining. Sometimes all of the things we believe make this time of year “special” really just rob us of what is most important. My family doesn’t need matching Christmas pajamas each year, but do I feel awful about us not having any? Why, yes, of course I do.
If you’re feeling blue this time of year, you’re not alone. I know I feel guilty that I’m not bubbling over with the Christmas spirit, but life can be difficult and if it takes all of the energy you can muster just to get through the bare minimum each day, know that I’m right there alongside you. God doesn’t care if we’re dressed to the nines for Jesus’ birthday, or how many presents we have wrapped under our tree (which is a whopping 0 for me at the moment). The only Christmas past that matters is the very first, the birth of Christ. Christmas means nothing without Christ, and if that’s all I have to show for this year, I really have it all!
Let’s pray a little prayer for all of those having a blue Christmas this year. I’ll be back tomorrow (in a better mood, I hope) with more Blogmas!
