Are you being intentional this Christmas season or has the world hijacked the holidays? Thanksgiving is barely in the rearview mirror and the world is rushing full speed ahead towards December 25. Black Friday deals are filling inboxes; we are inundated with promises of never-before-seen Cyber Monday savings. (Note my sarcasm 😉 ). Christmas has become, in many cases, a race to the finish. But to what end?
Usually, December 26 leaves me feeling depleted: Depleted of energy, depleted of enthusiasm, depleted of joy. I can usually count on a week or two of the Post-Holiday Blues. Is that really what this season is about? Should a season meant for celebrating the birth of my Savior really leave me, or any of us, void of joy?
They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. (By the way, have you ever wondered who they are?). With this in mind I can feel confident that on December 26 I will find myself strolling along Post-Holiday-Blues Parkway. Unless I make a different choice!
What do I know to be true?
- I know the world is getting more and more crowded
- I know the busyness of life can overwhelm
- I know the Currier and Ives picture of what Christmas should look like is a fairytale.
But I also know THESE things are true…
- It is possible to slow down and focus on Christ amidst the craziness of life
- The focus of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ
- God has good news of great joy for all people
It’s all well and good to know these things, but it will take a conscious CHOICE to put them into practice.
How are you feeling this Christmas season? If your to-do list of shopping, baking, decorating and wrapping has you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and ready to hide, I have a resource for you. Advent Scripture Cards (Click this link to download them). I actually created these for myself to use this year. I was looking for something to help me refocus and remind me that Advent is a time of reflection, meditation and celebration as I anticipate the birth of Jesus; a way to be intentional this Christmas and focus on the birth of Jesus.
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” —Luke 2:10-11