The Christmas season is a time that brings about a lot of mixed emotions for most people. Throughout my life, I would have to say that it has been a time that has brought both some of my greatest memories, yet also some of my worst. That statement may seem a bit extreme, but it holds a lot of truth. Ironically, these extremes exist because of the one thing that is supposed to help you through the stress, anxiety, and overwhelming feelings of the holidays: my family.
Growing up, holidays were very difficult. Coming from a divorced home, it wasn’t easy having to split time between parents who competed on which gifts were better, which dinner was made the best, etc. It was really hard to deal with. Being the oldest child, I always found myself in the middle of the arguments and discussions between my parents. This weighed on me heavily. Christmas was used as a competition and my sister and I’s feelings and desires weren’t truly cared for. I didn’t want to have a bunch of cool gifts, I wanted to be able to enjoy Christmas and the importance behind it. So what did I do?
As a kid, it wasn’t easy to dwell on the importance of Christmas when a lot of them wee spent crying and questioning why I had to be put through what I was. As an adult typing this out, I know that I had to experience what I did in order to share this message. CHRIST is in the name Christmas for a reason. Nothing overshadows that. There are too many pressures of buying the right gift, cooking, hosting, etc. that don’t belong at Christmas. But most of all, family issues and hostility has no right to jeopardize the true meaning we celebrate. Life is too short. Now, I am able to look at my past and thank God I went through it while also learning from it. I have learned how not to act towards others around the holidays. I have learned to lift others up and provide a light in this dark world. I strive every day to be the person that Jesus wants me to be, and that person is who I didn’t have growing up for those who need it.
So, what can you do? Provide peace. Jesus’ birth provided peace to those who believe in Him. We can go about every day and know that we are saved no matter what and that we are going to spend eternity with God the Father. I don’t know about you, but that takes a weight off my chest. How amazing is this? Bringing peace to those you love around the stressful holidays is what you must do. Be like Jesus, provide peace.
This Christmas, and all of the future ones that you are blessed to enjoy, DO NOT let things affect the celebration of Jesus’ birth. He came into this world to die for us and provide a path for us to live in eternity with Him and His Father. He created the possibility for us to have the biggest family of believers in the Kingdom of Heaven. His birth and, remembering why He was born, is the REASON FOR THE SEASON.
Do not be the reason someone can’t focus on that. We as believers are called to be better. We are called to lead others, not drag them down. Christmas is so important for us to show each other love and compassion. Jesus died to show us the greatest form of love and compassion the world will ever see. We must remember that!
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6
Elevate Your Faith 