I am not in the Christmas spirit this year. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a total Grinch, and I'm not being a hater. But I'm just tired of all this fake cheer garbage. Someone I know on Facebook posted this long message about not being afraid to celebrate that Christmas is all about Christ's birth. Which, yes, it is, and I think it's wonderful that she would say so. But I also know that she gets into debt every year, spending way too much on presents her kids don't need. And, as much as I don't want to sound judgmental, she spends a great deal of time griping about Christians, and based on conversations I've had with her, has absolutely no relationship with Christ. So yeah, I guess it's nice to see her paying Christ lip service, but let's call a spade a spade. For her, Christmas is not about Christ's birth.
And if we're really honest with ourselves, and each other, how much time do we really spend each Christmas season focusing on Christ? Is it when we're rushing from holiday party to holiday party? Or maybe it's when we're yelling at our spouses trying to get the house cleaned for company. Is Jesus at the front of our minds when we're standing in a long checkout line with our carts loaded with presents? Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of people with great relationships with Christ who celebrate the season. But I just see a lot more lip service about the meaning of Christmas when our actions say otherwise. Which leads me to being weary of the whole thing. I don't want to celebrate Christmas, the holiday everyone is raving about. I feel like the little girl in the Grinch movie, just wanting to get back to what the holiday truly means.
So this year, I'm pulling back. Our family is participating in the Advent conspiracy, and we're doing less. I'm trying to think more about making this a meaningful time of year as opposed to filling it with stuff. I'd rather be filled with Jesus.
Where are you at with all the merrymaking of the season?
1 comment:
I love this Danica. On Christmas we don't buy our kids presents, we take our kids to the store and let them use "their own money" and buy presents for others. Then Christmas Eve we go around the neighborhood and anonymously drop presents off on doorsteps. Like ole St. Nick. :)
They love it. And they love giving too. They don't even ask for presents for themselves. On their birthdays, that's when we get them something.
Mostly, on Christmas, we go to Church and stay quiet at home... talking and singing to Jesus.
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