It is, as the song goes, the most wonderful time of the year. I’m a deep aficionado of the advent season, but understand that it isn’t always sugarplums and flying reindeer. I wonder, however, if sometimes our less than ideal holidays miss the mark because we enter with the wrong attitude. Below are some thoughts that might be a help.
1. Remember the reason.
On the one hand Christmas is filled with celebratory distractions from that which we are celebrating. Our traditions have become so grand and sparkly that we forget what they are to point to. I’m in favor of trees, lights, hot cocoa, and Rudolph. But these will not, cannot, satisfy. We celebrate because God came to dwell among us. He came to suffer in our stead. He invaded this sin stricken world to begin the process of making all things right. That’s worth celebrating.
2. Lighten up.
Your schedule that is. Tension can squelch our Christmas spirit, and fewer things ratchet up tension like having too much to do. A smaller pile of presents not only saves time, but money. A smaller social calendar does the same. You are not a Grinch, a Scrooge nor a Krank if you turn down a few invitations. Some of the best holiday nights are spent by the fire, with nothing on the agenda.
3. Keep short accounts.
Tension may not be invited, but he will show up. Something will get broken. Someone will put his foot in his mouth. Someone will complain that the egg nog tastes a bit funny. When tensions flare up, quench them with the gospel. If you’re unkind, repent. If someone else is unkind, forgive. Jesus came for sinners. He endured much more than we ever will.
4. Get plenty of rest.
Few things will help with remembering the reason, lightening up and keeping short accounts than ensuring that ma in her ‘kerchief and pa in his cap each night settle down for a long winter’s nap.
5. Try to experience the season through the eyes of a child.
If you have a child present with you through the celebration, stick close. Their lack of cynicism, their capacity for wonder may just kindle the same fire in you. If you don’t have a child with you, remember your own childhood. Enter into it, remembering that you are indeed a child, and that your Father is indeed the all-knowing Giver of every good gift.
6. Go outside.
Whether it is too warm to feel like Christmas, or too cold for comfort, going outside will almost certainly be a help. Take in the neighbors’ decorations. Heck, take them a small gift, or serenade them with Christmas songs. We are celebrating joy to the world. It helps to go out in it, at least a little bit.
7. Back to lesson one- remember the reason.
The Son of God took on flesh, was born of a virgin. He lived a perfect life, and died, suffering for our sins. Death, however, could not hold Him and so on the third day He burst forth from His grave. He took His place, reigning at the right hand of the Father, where He ever delights to intercede for us. And He will come again. We are ever in advent, and we sing with joy to the world, “The Lord is come” and cry out in hope, “Maranatha, come, Lord Jesus.”
