To many today, Christmas is just a holiday – a stressful one at that. It’s a time for buying gifts that didn’t need to be bought out of a budget that couldn’t afford them. It’s a time for squeezing parties and extra events into a schedule that was already too full. It’s a time in which many feel rushed and over committed when what they really need is to slow down and enjoy the season.
Christmas should be a time of peace, not of fear and unrest. We fear we may overlook someone on our gift list, or maybe they won’t like what we bought them, or perhaps they will think our gift is too cheap. For some, Christmas also brings the added tension of bringing together fractured families. Instead of peace, they dread the inevitable conflicts. Yet, Christmas should be a time of peace.
Christmas should also be a time of hope. Think about this: Christmas is poised at the end of one year and the beginning of the next – at the crossroads of the past and the future. A previous year, with its blessings and its trials, is gone. A new year looms ahead, full of uncertainty. Yet, here is Christmas – the celebration of a birth that took place 2000 years ago – a perennial bright spot on our calendars – because God has given us hope. Christmas should be a time of hope.
Christmas should also be a time of love, centered around the greatest love story ever told – the story of God who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Christmas is the story of God’s greatest gift given to meet our greatest need – because God is Love. Christmas should be a time of love.
Ultimately, whether Christmas is a great time of year or a lousy time of the year depends on whether we are centered on ourselves, or centered on Christ.
What can we be doing to have a Christ-centered Christmas this year?
A Few Related Posts You May Find Useful:
Fallen angels and leaking shepherds
Sermon Synopsis 12/16 – When Christmas isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
Sermon Synopsis 12/24 – The Best Gift Ever!
Every good and perfect gift . . .
Sermon Synopsis 12/21 – Making the most of Christmas Opportunities
Are you an attender or a belonger? Part 2 Belonging helps us focus on God
What is your greatest fear?
You are right on the mark, Kevin. I'm trying to have an upside-down Christmas, myself.
My recent post Cease And Desist
We are too Scott!
Thanks for sharing!
My recent post 3 ways to be an active learner
Hoping to have the Bhutanese over for a party/open house at some point. Just to bless them and their new entrance into our country. I also want to drive a bunch of them around town to see the lights. In terms of time with family… not very much. Not much giving — unless it will have a special touch, something that will touch a heart, not just be pushed into a drawer. [One other thing I do this time of year is perform "How the Grinch..." and "The Innkeeper's Daughter." Schools, hospitals, nursing homes, parties. Been doing it for 50 years for Grinch and 30 years for "Daughter." THAT'S the joyful part!]
I know quite a few of my inlaws that need to read this at this moment. They probably would read it and think they should send it to me.
My point is… we all lose focus on what's important with Christmas.
Stepping back now… Thanks!
Sounds like you have your focus on the right place Joanne!
My recent post How to build trust in a group
We definitely do Duane!
Thanks for sharing.
My recent post How to build trust in a group
Hi Kevin,
you are so right christmas is supposed to be a time for Peace, Love and Hope.
Somehow the marketing around this time of the year seems to cash in on our ‘not good enough’ ‘inadequacy’, ‘wanting to be accepted and love’ anxiety.
So people buy too much, cook too much, eat too much and drink too much.
What are we teaching our children about Christmas and the festive season – or the silly season, as I heard someone call it.
I prefere the low key, peaceful ‘cheap’ approach and it is one of the times when I don’t regret having a very small family.
Thanks for raising this issue.
Great points Yorinda!
Thanks for sharing.