As Christmas approaches this year, like every year, people are in a rush to prepare. Last minute gift shopping, decorations to be hung around the house, Christmas meals to plan and cook, and family and friends coming to visit keeps people busy during the Christmas season. As the Christmas rush sets in, the holiday season seems to be over in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, what should be a time for fellowship, giving, and celebration becomes one large, stressful to-do list.
It is important to prepare for the holidays, but it is also important to remember what Christmas is really about. Christmas is about giving, not getting; about spending time with the people we love, and most of all, about remembering the One who so loved us that He gave His only Son to bring us salvation. Christmas is about remembering the Savior’s birth, His life, Death, and Resurrection and how greatly His life on earth has changed the world for the better.
It is easy to get caught up in the presents, decorations, food, and events, but we need take a step back from all of the busy to enjoy the season. I think we need to take a step back, and view Christmas from a different perspective—from the perspective of a child.
One of the most beautiful sights I have witnessed is a young child in awe of the Christmas lights on neighborhood houses, excited to put the star or angel on the top of the Christmas tree, and eager to share Christmas with friends and family. Children have the most incredible sense of awe and wonder over even the littlest things in life. The pure joy that shines from a child’s face as he looks up at the decorated Christmas tree with the presents underneath, or the sparkle in his eye as he sees the different Christmas lights and decorations on buildings and houses is one of the most precious sights.
The wonder and awe of a child amazes me yearly as I see the littlest aspects of Christmas light up their world. For a child, Christmas is a joyful season full of excitement, wonder, and miracles. For a child, the story of Jesus’ birth in a manger is fascinating. For a child, Christmas lights seem to be almost magical. For a child, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.
When do we lose this perspective of the Christmas season? More importantly, why do we lose it? We lose it because we get so caught up in "buy this, do that.” We make lists of Christmas dishes to cook and rooms to clean before guests arrive; we fight the crowds to buy gifts for various friends and family, and we stress ourselves out trying to get everything prepared before we celebrate Christmas.
What is wrong with making lists and preparing for all of the Christmas celebrations and guests? Absolutely nothing. The problem begins when we focus so much on our to-do lists and holiday preparations that we forget to slow down and enjoy our time with loved ones. The problem with the lists and preparations is that they often become the central focus of the Christmas season instead of the actual holiday itself. Christmas becomes a chore list instead of holiday to enjoy and celebrate.
This Christmas, take a break from all of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas chore lists, preparations, and shopping. Slow down and enjoy the holiday season; take time to look at the Christmas lights on the houses you drive by, to be kind to the stranger in line with you at the grocery store, and to give a little extra to others.
Take yourself back to when Christmas lights were magical and the Christmas story wasn’t just a repeated monologue from the year before. Go back to when the story of Jesus’ birth was a miracle and the star that lead the wisemen to Him was fascinating. Go back to marveling at the Christmas lights on neighborhood houses, and excitement as you begin decorating the Christmas tree. Go back to a child's perspective of Christmas. Go back to having a child's Christmas spirit.
Christmas truly can be one of the most wonderful times of the year; you just have to slow down long enough to realize how wonderful the Christmas season can really be. Why not make Christmas simpler this year? Take a breath, take a break, and enjoy the Christmas season.
