Over the years, I regret to say that I have become somewhat of a Grinch around the holiday’s – especially Christmas.
In America, Christmas is always very advertised. As soon as Halloween ends, Christmas goes up on the shelves. The hustle and bustle focuses on sales, shopping, and the oh so famous Santa Clause. Over the years all this has ended up doing is putting a negative taste in my mouth. Instead of looking forward to celebrating the birth of my savior, I would get drained by all of the commotion.
Does anyone even remember why we celebrate CHRISTmas anymore?
Unfortunately, I let the negativity I felt about Santa and the media change my whole mood about the season. Instead of being the light that led people back to Christ, I grumbled my way in and out of the stores buying obligatory gifts.
Yes, I enjoy watching the brightening of my families faces when I give them presents, BUT is this really what this is all about?
Being over seas has helped me remember what Christmas is all about. It could be because there aren’t tv ad’s (or television in general). Or, it could be because there aren’t stores surrounding me that are pressuring me with sales. It could also very well be the gentle whispers of love, while God pulls me closer into a relationship with Him.
Now that I am away from the stresses and pressures of the American “Christmas”, I find myself wondering why I wouldn’t want to celebrate my best friend’s birthday?
I’ve grumbled “I hate Christmas” multiple times in my life, even multiple times this year. That was until I realized I was making it way too much about me and my feelings, than I was about God and His feelings.
Yes, Christmas has been hijacked by the devil and turned into something completely different than what the day is supposed to represent, BUT that doesn’t change the fact that it is an opportunity FOR ME to celebrate Jesus.
I pray that if any of you reading this are struggling with finding His joy this season, that God lavishes His love, peace, and happiness on you.
I pray for any of you that are getting lost in the American version of Christmas that God reveals His heart to you, and that your focus will be turned back towards Him.
I pray for any of you that are missing a loved one this holiday season, that the God of comfort pours out peace and comfort on you, and that you’ll be unexplainably comforted!
So, now that I am starting to choose to be JOYFUL this Holiday Season. Here are some interesting little tidbits that helped me focus this holiday season back on Christ:
1- The Christmas Tree: originally an evergreen tree, reprisents the eternal life that Jesus brings.
John 10:2 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
2 – Lights: Represent Jesus as the light of the world.
John 8:12 “then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
3 – Wreath: No beginning and no end, God’s love for us.
1 Chronicles 16:34 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever.”
4 – Gifts: God so loved the world so He gave His one and only Son – we give gifts for Christ’s birthday because God originally gave to us.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
5 – Gold: Timeless value. Our value to God is forever, never depreciating in value because we are paid for by the blood of Christ.
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
6 – Frankincense: The fragrance of our lives who belong to The Lord. Those who don’t believe should sense His presence through us.
2 Cor 2:14 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him”
7 – Myrr: Main ingredient in anointing oil. The oil reprisenting the Holy Spirit, who helps us worship and ushers us into eternal life when we accept Christ. We are covered in His robe of righteousness.
Hebrew 4:14-16 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
This Holiday Season (especially if you are a recovering Grinch like me) try focusing on the Fruit of the Spirit:
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Also, think about what your Gift to God is this Christmas. Does He desire anything from YOU this Christmas?
