This is what I see the most of during the Christmas season. The stores are overflowing with all of the things that Christmas really doesn't mean. There is little to do with Christ, his birth, angels, the nativity, or even religion altogether. I get overwhelmed by the colors and flashy advertisements in the stores this time of year. I am also surprised at how rude and unforgiving people can get during the "happiest time of the year."
I was listening to the Christian radio station the other day, and they said a study claims that December is the most stressful month of the year. I believe them...
I have taken on entirely too much this Christmas. With school, church activities, Secret Santas, concerts, parties, and traveling...I have stressed myself out and have lost joy for this holiday season. Instead of being focused on what Christ has done for me, I have gotten lost in the hub-bub of what is expected during Christmas. My good friend, Connie, reminded me that we can not place expectations upon ourselves about what Christmas means. In our culture today, Christmas means making sure you get that Christmas picture card from Shutterfly to all of your closest friends and family. It means baking cookies for everyone on the block. It means getting the best gift for all of your family. It means showing up to all of the parties and events with a smile even if you have a cold. It means doing a whole lot more during this month than any other month of the year.
In actuality...shouldn't we stop, think, and ponder more during this season? Shouldn't our focus be more on God and the gift He sent us through the birth of His son? Instead, people like me, who like to be involved in everything get caught up in the expectations and get carried away with the festivities. I love the Christmas season, but I am learning that in order for me to fully enjoy its meaning and celebration, I need to do less, and not more. I need to live this month out with the true meaning of Christmas, not with what the rest of the world thinks it means.
I am learning more and more about myself this Christmas season. I do not like a lot of details. I need time to relax and breathe every week. I do not like rudeness and thoughtlessness. I like to look at the bigger picture of the life God gave us. I need time to dream, think about life, ponder bigger ideas, and learn from the things I have experienced. It helps me to function better in my day-to-day life.
I watched a video recently on the commencement speech given by David Foster titled "This is Water." It is about the mundane adult life college students will experience after high school and how they can choose how to live in it. He does not speak with a Christian perspective, but what he says has some truth to it.
I never imagined how hard adult life would be. We all leave college thinking we will change the world in an instant, we will have fulfilling jobs, have the house of our dreams in a couple of years, and be free to be happy! But the mundane does happen...the day in, day out responsibilities such as grocery shopping, getting oil changes, running to the bank, appointments, errands, and many more. The unfortunate circumstances that make our day harder or longer do happen...traffic that causes you to lose the precious 30-minute nap you were going to get in before choir rehearsal, the long line at the post office when you have had a long, tiring day at work, getting to the cash register at the grocery store with a full cart of groceries only to find out you left your wallet at home. These things can become stress triggers when the reaction is to lose patience. I have done this. I have come home to Josh feeling completely defeated after just a few things in my perfectly planned-out day fall apart.
I like to have control over my life...the Lord has shown this to me. He has shown me this by letting my plans fall apart. I get frustrated. I get worried. I get angry. I get concerned. I take my eyes off of Him. I find myself feeling lonely and worthless. It is because I have not put my worth and existence completely in him. When I think about how the Lord wants us to live our lives, I always try to remember this verse:
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Colossians 3:23-24
I especially have to remember and meditate on this verse when I am on carpool duty at school in single digits with a negative degree wind chill.
This life is not always going to be easy. It won't always be a bowl full of cherries. I might not always feel like I am making a difference in God's kingdom. I may not like where I am at, but I can always have a good attitude. When I am weak, I can focus my thoughts and energy on who Christ is and what he has done for me.
This is what I want Christmas to be. I want it to be a humbling time of awe and praise as we celebrate the coming of Christ and what he has already done for us. Glory be to God that He has given us a Savior! Joy to the World! Hallelujah! Celebrate this season with awe and rejoicing! If you need to step away from the busy going-ons of the season, do so, for your own sake. Focus your eyes on Christ, and He will be there to remind you of who you are in Him.
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