I love Christmas! It’s a joyous time of celebration. It’s the biggest birthday party of the year! If we stay focused on the birth of Jesus and the “reason for the season” there is nothing but happiness surrounding December 25th. Right? Sounds good.
It doesn’t work that way. Christmas can also be a time of great sorrow. Life doesn’t take a sabbatical for anyone’s birthday. There are still accidents and illness and tragedies. I have friends who are grieving for loved ones lost this holiday season- fathers, husbands, mothers, wives. My own family will be without my young niece. Her children will spend their first Christmas without her. So there are people who will have difficulty finding their joy next week.
Then there are those who base all of their celebration on gifts and money. Many of them will be unhappy next week because they didn’t get or give the “perfect present”. There will be long lines at the “returns” section of most stores. Then there will be added sorrow next month when the credit card bills arrive.
And let’s not forget the family dinner. For some it will be as enjoyable as going to the dentist. People who can’t stand each other and don’t even speak for eleven months think they can sit down, for the sake of their mother or grandmother or Aunt Susie, and have a wonderful meal together. The stress and tension and yelling that ensues actually surprises some people! LOL
If you forgot that Christmas has a “dark side” just watch Dr. Phil or Oprah or court television.
So this is a cautionary post. Just stay calm. Enjoy what you can. Pray for others. Remember that it’s supposed to be for Jesus, not you. And it will be over soon!
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