Christmas is loaded with expectations, isn’t it? Christmas shopping, decorating and entertaining. Typically, we knock ourselves out trying to make it the “perfect” Christmas. And year after year, we end up with the same empty feeling, like Christmas wasn’t as personally fulfilling as we’d hoped. Why is that?
Let’s look at a few of our expectations.
Picture yourself seated at a beautifully decorated Christmas dining table. Cheerful Christmas music plays softly, and a twinkling Christmas tree stands in the background. This is the time of peace on earth, goodwill toward others. Now picture your family and relatives all sitting together around the table. Do you picture them…arguing? Sometimes, despite our efforts, people clash, even at Christmas.
Perhaps you’re hoping that this year your children will be cheerful, patient and thoughtful of others. Well, if that’s how they are from January to November, you might have a shot at it in December. Or you might find them pulling ornaments off the Christmas tree and opening presents, saying, “I already have this.”
Somehow, we think the perfect Christmas is happening in someone else’s house, not our own.
Christmas is packed with expectations. Life isn’t perfect, and our expectations can do us in. Rather than being driven by a list of expectations, there is a better way to approach Christmas. There’s a way to find it much more personally satisfying.
Part of enjoying all the celebration of Christmas is understanding who was born that day.
1. God came in the form of a man – Jesus
2. Jesus Christ was born to pay our price
3. Jesus rose again that we may live again…
The Christmas carols suddenly take on more punch…” Joy to the Word, the Lord has come.” Jesus was not another prophet or great teacher. This was God revealing himself to us
There is no greater joy at Christmas than coming into a relationship with Jesus. Too many times, we have worn ourselves out, driven by our expectations to have the “perfect” Christmas. It’s a set-up for disappointment.
All of the shopping, decorating, and entertaining never fully meet our deepest longings. For Christmas to be special, we simply need to receive Jesus’ gift to us…a relationship with him. Knowing him brings great meaning and enjoyment at Christmas, no matter who knocks over the Christmas tree.
Feature image: Unsplash