As Christmas Day approaches with the speed of a bobsled whizzing down a well-glazed hillside, some of us have very mixed emotions.
Have a “holly jolly” Christmas they say, and for some of you, that will definitely be the case and what you’re aiming for. On the other hand, there will be those who hear the song and will be more prone to say “bah humbug”. Still, there will be others who hang out somewhere in the middle.
Christmas.
Special gifts. Loved ones gathering. Parties. Twinkling lights and tinsel. Favorite festive foods. Caroling. Santa and Rudolf. Fun. Celebrating. Church services and programs. Making memories.
These are just a few of the many things we might entwine into Jesus’ birthday.
Yeah, you read that right. None of it would be possible without Him! Isn’t “Christ” the beginning of the very word after all?
Yet, we run about trying to find the perfect gifts, spending untold amounts of money, stressing in shopping malls or mid-night shopping on Amazon, and ending up in a state of frenzy where we don’t even enjoy this special season. Don’t feel alone, we’ve all been caught on the hamster wheel at times and have been guilty of all the above.
We gravitate toward the hustle and bustle, the busyness, or trying to impress someone and show them how much we love them with just a simple gift bought from the store. How senseless that concept really is!
What if Christmas was more, as the Grinch suggests in his persnickety way? What if whatever Santa comes down the chimney with doesn’t fit the ticket? What if we search the store and the internet for the perfect gift and come up with a big, fat blank. Nothing.
Remember, there are those who are going to appear to be Scrooges, but what is really going on behind that facade?
The ideas of gift giving require there to be money available. The thought behind lovely family gatherings requires there to be everyone present and there has been loss. The thoughts behind all the parties are for people to giggle and shout with glee. What happens when our Christmas isn’t so “Christmas-like”? You know, the kind in all the Hallmark movies and children’s books.
Here’s a secret you may share: Christmas was actually not planned in the first place.
Things weren’t penned in and magnificently put in place complete with a shiny, red bow. In fact, there wasn’t even room for Christmas. It was a painful, stressful moment in time. Two people were scurrying about doing life when Christmas was born. There wasn’t a grand meal, the gifts that were presented weren’t wrapped and ready under a tree, they were brought by strangers from afar. There were no twinkling lights or people singing carols in the streets. However, there was a single glowing star and angelic hosts singing in the heavens. Christmas came unplanned when you look at it with the natural eye. God had a plan though, guaranteed.
As I’ve attempted to get into the Christmas spirit, I’ve failed time and time again. Then, I’ve felt guilty for not being happy and ready to celebrate. I am one who cannot find the perfect gifts and mixed emotions. Don’t get me wrong, I have much to celebrate, it’s just mixed with sadness and loss too.
I am a lot of you!
Then it dawned on me…let me give what Christmas is really all about. I can enjoy that even with sadness in my heart. Let me not fake it till I make it and stress myself out further. Let me be real and give my best even if I’m not feeling it the way others might be.
I give you Jesus, my friend.
The gift I hand you is a physically empty box, but I’ve filled it virtually.
Inside you’ll find my smiling face even though my heart may not be presently. Packed inside you will find more love than any amount of money could ever afford. There’s a stick of kindness and understanding. There’s a coupon for the time you may need me in days to come, a moment when you may need support or a hug, or just a kind comment to brighten your day. There’s an envelope stuffed with an abundance of faithfulness and loyalty. There’s a sprinkling of gentleness, goodness, and long-suffering. My friend, I give you Jesus! (With such joy I cannot contain myself.)
Let’s go back to the basics and give ourselves some slack. Let’s appreciate the simple things and not so much the elaborate. Let’s give the things which cannot be bought but are appreciated beyond words. Let’s give each other - well, each other. Jesus with skin on! That’s the most precious gift God decided He could give to us and He always knows best. Who can outdo Him?!
The simple joys of Christmas can be enjoyed when we peel back all the commercialism and expectations which are unattainable. Even the most down and out soul around would appreciate a kind word and a dose of gentle kindness. Isn’t that more elaborate and touching, not to mention lasting, than anything bought from a store.
So, I give you this box to enjoy for as long as you’d like. I’ve wrapped it especially for you today. Now, go do the same for someone you love. There IS a perfect gift, a one-size-fits-all, when you give the gift of yourself in the true spirit of Christmas.
I give you Jesus, my friend.
Merry Christmas to all everywhere~