We are well on our way to rediscovering Christmas.
Thank you for stopping over today. If you’ve missed the previous posts in this series, you can catch up here.
As I’ve mentioned before, I love Christmas and everything about it. This love for it, however, has been both a blessing and a distraction. A blessing because my heart is warmed and drawn to the heart of this season, and yet, this love has also distracted me from the very same thing.
What is the heart of this season, anyway?
The world tells us it’s about the gifts, the decor, and making lists and checking them twice. It tells us it’s about a man in a red suit and about nine reindeer. It wants us to believe it’s only about peace on earth and goodwill toward men. And, it captures our attention for what’s pretty and pleasing and “perfect.”
None of these are terrible things, are they? No. We may enjoy doing these activities, and taking our kids to see Santa. We desire peace on earth and goodwill toward all. These are great! But, sometimes these good things can draw us away from the truth and the reason for this season. And, when they do, we miss Christmas all together.
I know because I’ve lived it.
For too many years I made Christmas and its season about the glitter and the tinsel. About shopping, gifting, and entertaining. I fell into the trap of the hustle and bustle, and was too busy to take time to soak in what the season was really all about.
I missed the heart of Christmas.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
In case we need a definition of Christmas, dictionary.com defines it as:
the annual festival of the Christian church commemorating the birth of Jesus: celebrated on December 25 and now generally observed as a legal holiday and an occasion for exchanging gifts
Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus.
That’s pretty simple, isn’t it? Why do we complicate Christmas and make it about so much more? Why did I, those years, get distracted and make it about everything else but this beautiful birth? Are we tempted to do so this year? I don’t have those answers right now, but it’s worth taking time to ponder.
The birth of our Savior is precious for those who live out the Christian faith. But, to those who do not, those words might not mean much at all. They are just words… words they don’t believe. And, it’s quite possible those words have been thrown in the faces of those very same people, without love and compassion to back them up.
If that’s you, first of all, I’m sorry. And, second of all, I invite you to give Jesus a chance to show you how much He loves you.
We don’t have to be perfect to follow the One who is. Christians are far from perfect. I guess that’s why we sometimes still mess up. But, this Christian faith is freeing and securing and is filled with the peace we all desire. Don’t take my word though. I’d love nothing more than for you to find this out for yourself.
I pray this Christmas season opens your eyes, warms your heart, and draws you to His love and the hope Jesus’ birth offers us all.
Let’s begin right where we are today.
Let’s center ourselves on the heart of this season, Jesus.
Tomorrow we’ll come back and share ideas on ways we can embrace and celebrate the heart of this season.
Thanks for stopping in and for rediscovering Christmas with me. See you tomorrow!
Julie
Linking this post with Crystal and Suzie.
I’m all in for anything that takes the pressure of perfection out of the holiday season. The older I get, the more I realize its the small and simple that is most meaningful. I’m really purposing to simplify this year and savor what really matters. Great encouragement to keep our eyes fixed on our sweet Jesus. Hugs, Julie. Visiting from Crystal’s place today.
Hi Tiffany! It’s good to see you! I completely agree with you on all… I’m simplifying this year too. It’s freeing, isn’t it?! May God bless you, especially this season. Hugs to you!