Each year, I struggle more & more with whole holiday season. Not in the sense of; “Bah Humbug… I hate everything bright & fun & festive”… but by a question that continues to nibble away at me: “Is the way that I keep Christmas honoring Jesus?”
It’s easy to get caught up in the hubbub of the season. After all, there have been Christmas songs on the radio since November & we have traditions to uphold. We have cookies to bake, gifts to shop for, cards to address, meals to prepare, parties to go to, concerts to attend, decorating to do & the list goes on & on.
I often feel caught between celebrating the birth of the Messiah by doing all the customary things expected of me & longing to keep things as simple as possible. I question how I can, in good conscience, revel in excess while so many around me are struggling just to make ends meet. & I just can't help but wonder… if my circumstances were different… if I had less… if I were hungry or cold or sick or alone… would I be less grateful? Would I have less joy?
… & what of this joy?
Is it exclusive to Christmas? Is it found in the twinkling lights, cheerful decorations & brightly wrapped packages? Or created by something much deeper.
This week, I came across a book written by a 19th century clergyman, Henry Van Dyke, that spoke volumes to my conflicted soul. In it he raises the question:
“Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weaknesses and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and to ask yourself if you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open? Are you willing to do these things for a day? Then you are ready to keep Christmas…”
It reminded me instantly of the words of our precious Lord Jesus…
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your strength & with all your mind’ ; &, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
– Luke 10:27
Ah Lord God, it is my prayer this holiday season that I will nurture these truths in my heart & will “keep Christmas” each & every day.
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