Surviving Christmas?
Several years ago I wrote an article that was published in a Christian newspaper. I thought I would post it here in these waning days before Christmas. Hope you find it encouraging.
I am not against celebrating Christmas. In our home we exchange presents, listen to and sing Christmas songs, host and attend parties, ride around looking at the decorations, visit family members, and enjoy many of the other Christmas festivities.
However, as we are immersed in the “season to be jolly” you would have to agree that it is filled with unique challenges and temptations. During a season that is beginning earlier each year many individuals and families drift dangerously near insanity. Unpredictable and undisciplined emotions begin to run wild.
There is the nostalgia mixed with 11 months of guilt that can prompt purchases that are illogical and extravagant. Neighborhood pressure can cause houses to be strung with hundreds, even thousands, of those white twinkling lights. Television ads, Christmas clubs, and special “Wish Books” lead to the sound of the cash register or the near silent swipe of the credit card.
How will we avoid destroying the real reason for the season? My family and your family need a plan, a strategy that will enable us to survive Christmas in an emotionally charged atmosphere. We need a few guiding principles for finding peace in the midst of panic.
The first is to emphasize the eternal over the temporary. It is our Savior’s birth, not Santa’s that we are celebrating. I am not anti-presents. What I do favor is recognizing that the significance of giving presents is directly related to God presenting us the gift of His Son. Writing to the early Christians in Colosse, the Apostle Paul said “set your hearts on things above…set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2). Christmas is about Christ and the eternal life He offers us!
Here’s another thought. Let’s spend more time imparting what we possess and forget about trying to impress others by what we buy. Christians represent the King. We are ambassadors for Christ, doing His business in season and out of season. Our families can be about His business this season, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in our neighborhoods through word and deed. Let’s impress people with the love of God instead of our purchasing power. I know of families who involve their children in thinking about creative ways of giving to others instead of thinking about what they want for Christmas. Maybe we could ask each other what do you want to give instead of what do you want to get.
Too many families get into financial trouble during Christmas. Please don’t spend more than you have. Before every purchase ask these questions: Is this within my budget? Is it appropriate? Is it really what I want to say to the recipient? Plan your purchases in order to stretch your dollars. For many of us, a safe rule is this: If you don’t have the cash – don’t buy it.
There is one more principle I think could help us. Let’s guard ourselves from getting built up for a letdown. One of the most effective maneuvers of a secularized Christmas is to create a false sense of excitement and expectation that all of our problems will disappear. We think every family gathering will be marked by peace and joy. The baby will not be sick. The cousins will share their presents. Uncle Joe will be sober. My spouse will buy just the right gift for me. We can be lulled into thinking that this Christmas a broken relationship will be restored, a fractured family will be healed, and all of our financial woes will dissolve. A better plan is to keep a firm hand on the controls. Be realistic. Don’t be deceived. Stay focused on Jesus as you fill your thoughts, desires, and expectations with His promises and presence.
You and I can survive Christmas! It starts by remembering that when the wrappings and ribbons are in the trash can, the manger scene is back in the storage box, the friends and family have said goodbye, and the house feels kind of empty and so do we…there is one who waits to fill our hearts and renew our hope.
Question: What are you doing to “survive” this Christmas?
