Let's celebrate Christmas all year long!
Some you are probably thinking, "YES!", "I love Christmas !" "Let's do this!"
While many others may be groaning and would probably like to tar and feather me at the mere thought of having to celebrate any longer than is absolutely necessary.
I get it...I love Christmas, but sometimes, often times, it can be stressful and become too much.
When do you begin "doing" Christmas?
When does the tree go up?
Do you put up outside lights and decorations? How early? How much?
How much do you decorate the inside of your house? Could it be featured on a Hallmark movie?
When do you begin shopping for presents? The day after Christmas for the following year or Christmas Eve for the current year?
How do you celebrate? Quiet family gathering, big family gathering, group of friends, or does it seem like your celebration includes the entire town.
What about Christmas parties? Do you host any? Do you attend any? How many?
Are there dinners to plan, prepare, host, attend?
Are there Christmas programs at the kids school? At church? Band concerts? Choir concerts?
Do you attend any local Christmas parades?
Do you need to purchase gifts for kids classroom teachers and Sunday School teachers? How about for your co-workers? Don't forget about your friends.
Did I mention the shopping? Not just for gifts but for food, to replace the lights that no longer work, to get some new decorations that you've been dying to get, or even to replace the Christmas tree that might have bit the dust last year and you just forgot about it.
Do you worry that you bought all the right gifts?
Did you forget anyone?
You just know that you forgot someone or something.
We have to decide which Christmas Eve service to attend and do we go to Christmas Day service too since it's on a Sunday this year.
Presents are opened. Food is consumed. Most seem happy with what they got but maybe someone didn't get the gift they had really hoped for. Maybe the size or color of the sweater you bought for you favorite uncle was wrong so now you have to exchange it. Maybe Susie wanted a blond doll but got a brunette instead. Maybe Bobbie didn't want the video game you got him.
And then it's over...
We are exhausted...
We eventually get everything cleaned up, picked up, and put away until the same time next year. Except for those few returns or exchanges, the thought of Christmas is out of our minds for months.
Don't get me wrong, I love to see the excitement on the faces of my grandchildren as they open presents, as they see all the Christmas lights and the blow-up figures on people's lawns, as they help decorate, and as they help to make things.
I also like to decorate with all the Christmas stuff, but maybe not to the extent that I once did.
I'm not saying to stop doing what you do every year.
But...
When did our celebration of Christ's birth become so much packed into a month or maybe 2? And is all of this planning and preparing actually to celebrate his birth, or something else? How much time do we actually spend "celebrating" his birth?
And I haven't even mentioned what kinds of memories or emotions come to mind when you think of and plan for Christmas. They could be joyful, but they could also be painful.
When Joseph found out about Mary's pregnancy, he was going to secretly divorce her. However, an angel appeared to him as recorded in Matthew 1:21 - "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Then, on the day he was born, Luke 2:11 reads..."For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior which is Christ the Lord."
And 2 verses later, verses 13 and 14 read...Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
All this fanfare to announce the birth of one small child to a bunch of shepherds.
In all of our Christmas planning, decorating, celebrating, and events that we attend, how much time do we really give to celebrating Christ? How much fanfare do WE give to him?
That night in that manger, prophecy was fulfilled when Christ humbled himself to come to earth to be born. He didn't have to, but he chose to. It seems to me that we would want to celebrate his birth more often than just one day.
We know that without his death, burial, and resurrection we wouldn't be saved from our sins. We celebrate that every day.
But have you ever thought that without his birth, there wouldn't be a death.
I wonder what it was like for him growing up, knowing full well that he was going to have to die for us. We wonder what our day-to-day lives will be like, but Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen.
Do you ever wonder what someone thinks of you? What did someone say about you behind your back? Are you going to be invited to a certain event or wonder why you weren't invited to another event?
Jesus knew the names of everyone who spoke badly about him, who would mock him, who would betray him, and would would deny him. Yet he still chose to be born, to be a friend and teacher, and to go through all of the trials that he did.
How about all of the sermons he preached and the lessons he taught? Many didn't listen and many still don't listen today, however he knew those sermons and lesson would reach us thousands of years later.
During his life he served in many ways: healing, washing feet, raising people from the dead, turning water into wine, and so much more.
He left the example for us to serve others. Maybe not healing people, raising them from the dead, or even turning water into wine, but we can serve.
How do we do that? How do we serve others? What does that have to do with Christmas?
Well, this definitely look different to each one of us. We are all different, our abilities are all unique to us, so you will have to decide. But we get so caught up in the look and feel of Christmas that we forget that it's all about giving, caring, sharing, loving. That's what Christ did for us so we should do the same for others.
It certainly doesn't have to be a physical gift that you give to someone, but maybe some kind words or deeds.
Our congregation was recently encouraged and and challenged to be the salt (words) and light (deeds) to people around us. This was based on Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown our and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it give light to everyone in the house.
So how can you start to be the salt and light in the world?
Start with a smile. The smile you give to someone may be the only positive thing someone experiences in a day. I recently saw on FaceBook that said that a smile was the universal sign for kindness...I guess if it was on FB then it must be true...
Do you like to write notes to people? Buy a package of cards and send positive notes to someone you know who could use a kind word.
Do you know anyone who could use some help around their house? Maybe an elderly person or couple who could use their leaves raked, yard mowed, snow shoveled, or even some small repairs completed.
Do you sew, crochet, knit, or do any crafts? Maybe you could make something for someone. Maybe you can share your ability with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or 4H.
Do you know a new young mom who might just need someone to talk to? Or to sit and listen for the baby so that she can take a shower or even a nap?
Is there someone who is having some financial difficulties who could possibly use some groceries?
Can you prepare a meal for someone facing medical battles?
Can you send cards to someone who is battling cancer?
Can you visit someone who was injured in a car accident?
We often receive prayer requests and sometimes updates on those prayer requests. If you have received updates about people, ask how they are doing and continue to support them.
Do you have items in your house that you no longer need/use/want? Rather than selling them, is there someone who can't afford to buy them that you could give them to?
Take supplies (paper plates, napkins, paper towels, soda, chips, etc.) to a family who recently lost a loved one. This is so nice to have when friends stop by to visit and share their condolences.
Have you ever encountered someone at the store checkout who didn't seem to have enough to pay for their groceries? Have you ever stepped in to help?
Do you know a college student who is attending college quite a distance from home? Send them a card periodically.
As we get older, our parents and their friends do too. Keep in touch with some of those friends by sending them cards or notes.
As a 10-year-old, I had to spend 9 days in the hospital back in 1971. While I was there and even a few days after I went home, I received cards from someone who signed their card "The Phantom Pen". I didn't know who that was for a few weeks until I finally received one in which she revealed her identity - Judy Lewis, one of my mom's friends. I contacted her recently about those cards because I had forgotten how she had signed them, but I had never forgotten her kindness in sending them.
Kindness - it doesn't cost a thing yet it's the richest gift you can give.
Kindness is one of the greatest gifts you can bestow upon another. If someone is in need, lend them a helping hand. Do not wait for a thank you. True kindness lies within the act of giving without the expectation of something in return.
Being kind. Giving in love. Serving.
There are so many people that all of us know who could use a bit of Christmas throughout the year. We don't know what trials or tribulations they may be battling, but we can at least give them a "smile".
We have so many opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to serve like he did, to be salt and light in the world, to really celebrate his birth.
"Your impact on other people is bigger than you think. Someone still giggles when they think of that funny thing you said. Someone still smiles when they think of the compliment you gave them. Someone silently admires you. The advice you give has made a difference for people. The support and love you've offered others has made someone's day. Your input and opinions have made someone think twice. You're not insignificant and forgotten. Your existence makes a positive difference, whether you see it or not." Compassionate Reminders
Those cards you sent...
That meal you made...
That gift you gave...
That time you raked leaves or mowed grass or shoveled snow...
That time you sat and talked with a new mom or a friend in the hospital...
That time you paid for someone's groceries or fast food...
That note you sent to one of your parent's friends...
Those cards sent to a scared 10-year-old in the hospital...
None of these will be forgotten. Jesus knows you've done them and that's all that matters.
We need to remember that Christmas is about Christ. It's not about us, making us feel good or look good. It's about serving others and giving to others just like Jesus did. Not just once or twice, but being intentional ALL YEAR LONG!
