Christmas Time

Christmas time isn’t always a happy time and certainly not always merry. When my son passed away, it was anything but happy. My emotions were raw, and I didn’t want to celebrate or be around a lot of happy people. That was a season of my life, and as I look back it was neither right nor wrong, but it was where I was at that moment.

As I see other people who aren’t thrilled about Christmas, I have to remember to pray for them. There’s probably a good reason why they have a difficult time celebrating such a wonderful time of year. I have compassion for those who find the season to be upsetting bringing back childhood memories that were not pleasant, or maybe who have lost a loved one or going through a divorce.

Whatever is keeping others from celebrating Christmas is very real to them, and that is exactly why Jesus was born. I think that keeping the Christ in Christmas is more about keeping Christ alive in our hearts. His name is “Immanuel” which means “God with us.” God is with us all the time, and He will be with you too this Christmas.

Matthew 1:23 Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is translated, God with us.

It can get burdensome decorating, baking, going shopping or keeping the kiddos at bay. Take a few minutes for yourself and center your mind on Jesus. He has done so much for you and desires that you totake the time to be in His presence. You’ll be amazed at how refreshing that is even if it’s just a few minutes a day.

I love the perspective that Kelly Balarie shares in her blog[i]:

“I don’t want to be so concerned with the decorations that I miss the adoration. I don’t want to be so annoyed by the word Xmas that I miss the hurting person speaking it. I don’t want to be so consumed with others that I miss the one who stands above all others.”

The more I focus on Christ and His purpose, His way, and His gift, the more I become like Him. In moving our attention and focus from our hurts and annoyances to Christ, we will find ourselves wanting to show His love to others. This is Christmas – Christ in you and me!

I pray that you will find the joy this Christmas and remember to take a few minutes a day in the presence of God, to keep Christ alive in your heart, and mostly remember that God is with you whether you’re jolly or not!

Merry Christmas!

[i] “It’s not about “Keeping Christ in Christmas” by Kelly Belarie, https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/kelly-balarie/its-not-about-keeping-christ-in-christmas.html