How do you celebrate Christmas each year?
My Christmas season usually feels like a dizzying, expensive experience with pretty lights. There are so many distractions, and so much pressure to buy, to be somewhere and do all the things for our kids. If I am honest, I don't really want to go to most of the obligatory events, but I gladly (which is different from joyfully) do them for my kids. The enemy whispers his lies to shame me: "Did I do enough this year? Did we create the traditions for our girls to l hold dear to? Did I buy enough, bake enough, gift enough to others? Did we make enough crafts? Did I cook enough for our Christmas dinner?" Our electric bill reflects how closely we resemble the Grizwald's, and I dismiss it as a NEEDED expense. For the kids. For the spirit of Christmas.
But. What if this Christmas becomes more than what the world has taught us it should be--busy, full, and no room for Him?
Of all the holidays in all the world, which is the most celebrated worldwide?
Christmas. Rightly so. (Isaiah 9:2-7)
How has the world taught us to celebrate? Buy, spend, and give. In 2019, the world spent a record breaking $1.002 trillion!
How are we, in 2021, any different from the delivered Israelites out of Egypt who built a golden calf to worship? (Exodus 32) As you read, remember that *Egypt* is always a representation of the world.
Does this the kind of celebration honor Jesus? Surely he deserves the biggest celebration, but the meager circumstances He was born into should be a clue as to how much Jesus cares about extravagance. What if we take some time to re-think who, what, and why we are spending so much money, time, and energy? Is there anything more relevant than Jesus in our reshaped world of 2021? Isaiah 9:6-7 Hebrews 1:3-4
Friend, I am lifting you in prayer. I am asking that Christmas celebrations become what Jesus desires in each of our hearts. May He be glorified above all others!
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