Are the holidays alive to you? Or is the Christmas spirit reserved for fictitious characters in warm-hearted movies? We all know what Christmas is supposed to feel like, complete with sugary snacks and deep feelings of family togetherness.
But the realists among us only feel our spirits lifted by a ballooning credit card bill, a spouse that remembers a long lost relative who “needs” a gift (there goes another $45), and an ever expanding Christmas card list. We feel pressure to buy, pressure to impress in-laws, pressure to do something Christmasy with the kids, and even pressure to create happy memories.
Not that all of that is bad. Some of us need a little push to keep us from scrooging our way through the end of the year. But is there a secret to really “feeling” Christmas, instead of just singing about it?
If Christmases are flying by and that special feeling seems like a distant, suggested memory from childhood, perhaps these tips will bring your holiday season to life:
1. Out of your Christmas card list, pick the five people to whom you are the closest (spouse, children, best friends, etc.) and do more than just sign their card. Write out five reasons why you love and appreciate them. Don’t be afraid to express yourself, even if you aren’t normally an emotional person. After all, Christmas is about giving, and encouragement (while free) might be the most valuable gift you could give.
2. Looking at that same Christmas card list, find a family or individual who has struggled this year. As a family, plan to do something special for or with that person before December 25th. Go out of your way to do something unexpected, something surprisingly generous. You’ll brighten someone’s season and experience the truth of Jesus’ statement: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
3. Host a small Christmas party at your house. When I think “party,” I tend to think in large numbers, which discourages me from getting it together. Packing forty people into my living room and shelling out big bucks to feed them isn’t my idea of a relaxing holiday evening. So try this instead: invite three couples over for a meal, asking each participant to bring part of the menu. Have your favorite Christmas CD playing in the background as you talk about Christmas memories and family moments. Add a spiritual side to your “party” by taking time to pray for each person in the room, and their family, as they approach the holiday season. Break out a party game to finish off the evening.
4. Schedule a family evening. Yes, everyone’s busy. That’s why you should get this on the calendar early in the month. Plan an evening to bake cookies, wrap presents, or watch a Christmas classic as a family. Enjoy one another without the distraction of appointments and visitors, etc.
5. Read the Christmas story (the real one). I recently saw a movie in which the characters were discussing the true meaning of Christmas, and a child was asked if he had heard the Christmas story before. Indicating that he didn’t remember, the others began to recite, “Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house…” As touching as the movie was, there was a problem. That’s not the Christmas story! For the real deal, open your Bible to Matthew 1:18-2, and then flip to Luke 2:1-18.
In the end, Christmas isn’t just a feel-good celebration. Christmas is a time when the people of earth celebrate the birth of the King, Jesus Christ, and his sacrifice to bring hope and salvation to the world.
The holidays can come alive to you. It’ll take a little time, a little commitment, and a little faith. But you just might start agreeing with that familiar tune, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”
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