Does anyone else have “that” friend, who reminds you on June 1st that there are only 181 days until Christmas?! Perhaps that friendly reminder contributed, but in any case, I found myself thinking (and writing) this blog about Christmas quite a few months ahead of the holidays.
In full transparency, there’s another reason I found myself thinking about Christmas in June. Due to circumstances outside of my control, a large portion of my income may disappear just as the holiday season begins. On one hand, looking ahead through this lens lends itself to wise planning. If I’m “on my game”, I could do my gift shopping early, before things get “tight”.
Our Celebrations Speak
And while I may attempt to do some of that, it’s also causing me to think of something much more significant than shopping. It is this question, “What truly matters to me this Christmas?” As followers of Jesus, we may quickly default to what we know is the “right” answer – The Christ of ‘Christ’-mas, right?
And, of course, this is the best answer. Yet I believe we would each do well to evaluate if our holiday celebrations actually reflect that it is Jesus Who truly matters most to us? Here’s another way to look at it. If you couldn’t purchase the items on your kids’ wish lists, no invitations to parties came, and no special Christmas delicacies were enjoyed, how joyful would you be on a scale of 1-10?
How Will We Respond?
I’ve personally found that it’s in the loss or absence of what we’ve come to accept (dare I say expect?) as “normal”, that we discover what our hearts truly hold as most important. And that discovery can be both convicting and encouraging. At least I pray it’s convicting. We do have a choice. When we become aware of something in our lives that has de-throned God as our greatest desire and source of satisfaction, we can either humbly repent of our idolatry (yes, we must call it what it is) or we can justify and make excuse for why it’s “OK”. Sadly, when we do the latter, we miss out on the most fulfilling joy and contentment available.
So, you may be wondering why such a discovery is also encouraging. In answer, Romans 8:18 comes to mind, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (NIV). Yes, loss (of any kind) hurts. Yet if our chief aim is to truly know and glorify God, we will increasingly recognize that it is most often through loss or suffering that His glory is seen.
God’s plan for the birth of His Son, Jesus, on that first Christmas, certainly included significant loss for those He chose to play a role. It cost them their own comfort, reputation and security – things that I’m sure mattered to them. Yet, they willingly chose to obediently suffer these things, for they knew what mattered most. And as a result, they were privileged to participate in God’s glory being revealed – in them, through them and around them.
Deciding Our Role in God’s Ongoing Story
Friends, the individuals in the story of Christmas were normal people just like you and me. And amazingly, God still chooses to use people like us to display and proclaim His glory! I believe Jesus asks us, just as he asked Simon Peter in John 21:15, “Do you love me more than these?” It is your answer to this question – in word and in deed – that will ultimately determine how much of Jesus is seen and glorified in you.
So, this Christmas, will you take time to reflect on how your behaviors and use of time reflect what matters most to you? If you find your actions differ from your words, please don’t just plow forward for the sake of tradition or the expectations of others. Instead, repent of what you may have allowed to matter more to you than Jesus and His glory. Then seek out practical and intentional ways to celebrate the One Who matters most! Who knows what true joy and contentment may await you? For no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him (I Corinthians 2:9, personal translation)!
Glory to God in the Highest and in your heart and home this Christmas!
