The Christmas season has just hit it's peak. You've got last minute shoppers out five days before Christmas who have yet to begin getting gifts for all their loved ones. You've got carolers at your door singing all your favorite songs. Your house is probably brimming with Christmas decorations and all your favorite Christmas desserts and candies. Everyone is very busy, but very happy in anticipation of what's coming in the next few days.
I don't know what Christmas means to you, and I don't know what you believe the reason for this huge celebration is. But chances are, you have built up these feelings of expectation of what your Christmas morning is supposed to look like.
All your family in their Christmas pajamas, around the Christmas tree, enjoying each other and enjoying all their gifts, eating yummy food all day long. These are just some of our ideas of what the perfect Christmas would be. (Oh, and we'd all love a white Christmas, but today in SC it was 70 degrees, so our chances of that aren't looking great).
I just wonder if sometimes we miss the point in the business of the season and making sure we get everything we have to do done.
We all want that ideal Christmas picture of everyone being happy around the tree, and I think often times, that's where we focus our attention during the holidays.
As great as that is, and as fortunate as we are to get to experience those things, Christmas is so much more than your picture perfect morning by the tree.
The truth is that in our anticipation and excitement, we lose sight of why we celebrate. We get so focused on what we're getting everyone for Christmas, and what we're getting that we miss the whole point of Christmas.
With all of the anticipation, excitement and expectations for Christmas, it's easy to be depressed when all the gifts have been unwrapped, and all the decorations have been stored away until next year. That's what happens when we don't focus on the real reason behind why we celebrate.
Christmas does bring so much joy. It's a beautiful thing to see a child burst with appreciation and excitement when they've opened the gift they've been begging for, but sooner or later, that joy will dissipate, because eventually there will be something better than that new item they just opened.
But when we turn our eyes to the true meaning of Christmas, which is the coming of Christ, we aren't left disappointed after the celebration is complete. And that is the very essence of why we celebrate.
The joy of Christmas is about a Savior taking on our flesh, and becoming creation. That's why we celebrate.
The gifts, time with family, and feasts are great, but they will eventually come to an end. And we'll start anticipating next year.
But Jesus didn't stop by being born in a manger. He went on to willingly give His life for us, so that we could be with Him forever. And, He promises to come back.
That's the reason we have Christmas. We have Christmas because He is worthy of celebration and excitement.
So when the last piece of wrapping paper has been picked up off the floor, the lights have been unplugged, and the radio stations return to their normal songs, rest in the truth that if you've anticipated and celebrated Christmas for the right reasons, your joy will be everlasting.
Because that's what Jesus brings: everlasting joy. And the best part is, we get to anticipate Him coming again.
