Christmas, with all the joy and excitement that it brings, can also be a source of undue stress and even depression. How is it that a holiday created to celebrate the miraculous birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, can become such a burden on some? That is simple…we have forgotten the real reason for the season.
Most of us are guilty of consuming ourselves with the commercial side of Christmas as opposed to the emotional side of Christmas. We get so busy shopping, decorating, cooking, and going to parties & programs that we lose our focus. We spend money we can’t afford, cook more than we can possibly eat, and take time away from our families to spend with people that make no real contribution to our lives. These things have, over time, have grown to signify what Christmas is about. So often we approach the season with the best of intentions and somehow get caught up and wind up with stress, regret, and miss the wonderful opportunities that this holiday offers.
I have a simple solution for those of us that struggle with this; Look up and Reach out. Look up, make a concerted effort to acknowledge and honor Christ each day, even more so during this holiday season. Imagine how you might feel if, on your birthday, your children were so busy shopping, partying with friends, and putting in their requests for the newest “toy”, that they forgot it was your birthday. It would be heartbreaking to think that the children you brought into the world would be too busy for you. How much more important should it be for us to remember the birth of the one that not only brought us life in this world, but eternal life. Since all Christ asks from us in return is to obey his word, perhaps we could honor his birth by obeying his request to give to those less fortunate. Reach out. Give a gift to a needy child, a single mother, a widow, a man who is unemployed and unable to care for his family. If you can’t afford to give monetarily, give a little of your time. It is after all, better to give than to receive. I guarantee you that the joy that you receive, will far outweigh the sacrifice of giving. How rewarding to bring a bit of happiness to a child who may not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas, or to a family that might not otherwise have a warm meal or a coat. As the recipient of the kindness of strangers when I was the child of a needy family, I can tell you that it does make a difference. You can affect a life.
If we will Look up and Reach out this holiday season, we will not only be more open to reflect on the true reason for the season, but will become a reflection of the savior we celebrate. Best Wishes for a very Merry CHRISTMAS!
Christmas, with all the joy and excitement that it brings, can also be a source of undue stress and even depression. How is it that a holiday created to celebrate the miraculous birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, can become such a burden on some? That is simple…we have forgotten the real reason for the season.
Most of us are guilty of consuming ourselves with the commercial side of Christmas as opposed to the emotional side of Christmas. We get so busy shopping, decorating, cooking, and going to parties & programs that we lose our focus. We spend money we can’t afford, cook more than we can possibly eat, and take time away from our families to spend with people that make no real contribution to our lives. These things have, over time, have grown to signify what Christmas is about. So often we approach the season with the best of intentions and somehow get caught up and wind up with stress, regret, and miss the wonderful opportunities that this holiday offers.
I have a simple solution for those of us that struggle with this; Look up and Reach out. Look up, make a concerted effort to acknowledge and honor Christ each day, even more so during this holiday season. Imagine how you might feel if, on your birthday, your children were so busy shopping, partying with friends, and putting in their requests for the newest “toy”, that they forgot it was your birthday. It would be heartbreaking to think that the children you brought into the world would be too busy for you. How much more important should it be for us to remember the birth of the one that not only brought us life in this world, but eternal life. Since all Christ asks from us in return is to obey his word, perhaps we could honor his birth by obeying his request to give to those less fortunate. Reach out. Give a gift to a needy child, a single mother, a widow, a man who is unemployed and unable to care for his family. If you can’t afford to give monetarily, give a little of your time. It is after all, better to give than to receive. I guarantee you that the joy that you receive, will far outweigh the sacrifice of giving. How rewarding to bring a bit of happiness to a child who may not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas, or to a family that might not otherwise have a warm meal or a coat. As the recipient of the kindness of strangers when I was the child of a needy family, I can tell you that it does make a difference. You can affect a life.
If we will Look up and Reach out this holiday season, we will not only be more open to reflect on the true reason for the season, but will become a reflection of the savior we celebrate. Best Wishes for a very Merry CHRISTMAS!
Debbiebuck
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