It seems like everyone has a “list” or two around this time of year. Most of them center on what they want or think they want primarily from someone else. Yes, Christmas can be become a very me focused season for some folks. For this reason the perceived weight of those expectations falls heavily across some shoulders. Whether it is the “hot” toy their tot must have, the perfect dinner they must prepare, magazine cover decorations they have to match, multiple locations they must appear at or the ravishing look they just must pull off once there. For far too many the pressure they create for themselves added to the pressures others expectations bring becomes way too much. Oddly, during this sweet time of peace, love and joy each year we see the highest rates of those willing to flee the pressure by way of suicide.
Now you may be asking why I would want to sound so down on Christmas. Well, I truly am not. In our “me centered” performance driven lives it seems we simply struggle so hard at Christmas to give the perfect, look the perfect and be the perfect that we lose what Christmas is about. It is because each one of us is not perfect that we have this blessed day to celebrate in the first place. We all are a mess. We make things into a mess, even Christmas. God knew it and was willing to give His best to us when we were at our worst. From this gift of self sacrifice and forgiveness comes all that is worth having in the holiday. Family, friends, love, hope, compassion and faith all are the rich gifts extended to each one of us for free. If we will slow down and take time to see them there before us.
Sadly, our culture is hell bent on taking the expectation of salvation and a Savior out of this season. Any reference to Jesus is watered down, equivocated or simply rejected. Simply saying Merry Christmas at a retail store is a controlled and very measures marketing and political statement. We mess stuff up to much! It is far too easy to blame the A.C.L.U. or some group of mean spirited and overly litigious atheist, pagans or what have you. All of this is noise and smoke. Part of what is designed to blind and hide those gifts laid before our feet.
Do not let anyone or anything steal the joy of this season from you. Do not allow your expectations or anyone else’s turn your holiday into a whirlwind of acts and actions. Slow down, sit by the tree with those you genuinely love and those that genuinely love you and just be genuine. Take some time away from the noise to feel the wonder of the greatest gift possible. Chuckle at the intolerant and let their clatter fade and fall away from your heart and spirit. Look for the lonely and hold out a hand full of generous and genuine warmth. Yours can be God’s hand of Grace and acceptance to someone feeling lost. Your hand can be a fist waving back in indignation at a wistful provocateur or your hand can just be a blur in a crowd hurried and harried by a season of expectations.
My prayer is that your hand will be alongside my families and mine. Lifted up in thanks, wonder and appreciation for giving what no one else could give. Jesus.
