Remember Your Why

 

Glittering lights, Christmas bulbs, colors of red, green, gold and silver. These are all signs of the holiday season. We decorate our houses, purchase gifts, bake cookies, run ourselves ragged to try and create a postcard-perfect picture of our lives.

Yet, all of these activities can cause stressed-out lives become even more anxious and chaotic. If none of these activities bring enjoyment then we are doing them for the wrong reason. 

Are we trying to live up to someone else's standards? Are we attempting to fulfill another's expectations? Do we think that the flurry of activity and Christmas trappings will somehow bring joy?

Some of these holiday decorations and activities do, in fact, bring joy to the season and can enhance the celebration. But when we cross the line from enjoyment to a deep-in-our-gut anxiety, than it's time to sit back and re-evaluate what we are doing. 

I told the Christmas story in children's church yesterday to two little preschoolers. I have a handmade nativity set that I used and as they engaged with the story and acted it out, it was beautiful to see the joy on their faces. Their hyper-busy activity stilled as they listened to the age-old story.

That story had no glitter, no twinkling lights, no Christmas cookies and no frantic activity. There was just a quiet field in  the middle of the night where shepherds were watching their sheep. The sky suddenly was ablaze with the light of angels and those shepherd were terrified as the angel spoke to them. 

The story also took place in a quiet village and a small outbuilding with smelly animals where the Messiah was born. His little voice split the air with crying and then stilled as his mother wrapped him in rags.

We celebrate Christmas with frantic activity and yet, the reason we actually celebrate is lost in the commercialism. Celebrations are exciting. The lights and gifts and parties and glitter can help enhance the celebration.

However, don't get so caught up in all the trappings that you forget to remember your why. Still yourself, reflect, and remember that quiet night thousands of years ago. The reason we celebrate is the same reason we can wake up with joy the other eleven months of the year...Christ, the newborn King.