Keeping The Spirit Of Christmas In My Heart
Every year I look in the newspaper or Internet for things to do in our community for the Christmas holiday. I always have high hopes and dreams that this year will be different; that my house will be beautifully decorated; we will go to the Christmas events in our community; and I will bake and cook all my family’s favorites for Christmas. Unfortunately things never quite go as I hope.
On one Christmas over 20 years ago I remember I was in the hospital with pneumonia two days before Christmas. Another Christmas Jim and Karl had just decorated the outside of our home when the men of our church decided to replace the roof on our house and it took the whole month of December for them to complete the work because they only had a couple of weekends to work on the roof. These are just two examples of how my best made plans changed due to circumstances beyond my control.
In my heart I desire to have the Christmas holiday I read and hear about on TV or my friends’ blogs or letters; but each year something usually happens to halt my best made plans. At first I get a little depressed because I feel I am letting my family down. I want the best for my family just like everyone else, so how do I keep the spirit of Christmas alive when I believe I fall short of what I think I should do each Christmas for my family?
First and foremost I need to remember what Christmas is all about. It’s about celebrating Christ – my Savior’s birth. I need to read and re-read the bible verses concerning His birth and why He left the portals of heaven to be born in human form in a lowly manger.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2: 10 – 12 KJV.
As the above scripture states, it’s about worshiping Him – Jesus. Christmas is not about how beautifully decorated my home is, or how many cookies and goodies I make for my family and friends, or even how many parties and events I have or attend. Christmas is a work of heart – not a work of art. Even if I could do all the things I think I need to do to make Christmas special for my family, if I do not have my heart right with Christ, then everything I do is done in vain. The best gift I can give my family this Christmas is a woman who is at peace with God and herself. A woman who knows her limits and accepts them with grace and dignity. In so doing it will not make a difference to my family if our house is not the best decorated house in the neighborhood, or that I had to buy store bought goodies this year because I am unable to bake them myself. For if I am at peace with the Lord and myself then I will have the spirit of Christmas within my heart not just at Christmas, but throughout the year, which makes a great recipe for a happy, healthy and loving family.
So this Christmas, let us not worry about having the perfect Christmas. Let us instead Worship the Perfect Christmas Gift and in so doing have the spirit of Christmas throughout the year.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year and may you keep the Spirit of Christmas in your heart throughout the year!
What great words of encouragement for all of us in this holiday season. I’m with you. I would love the picture perfect vision we see on TV. But, like you, God keeps reminding me of the reality – a lowly stable, a poor family, an overturning of their plans. THAT’s the real picture of Christmas and aren’t we so grateful! I’ve so enjoyed the Christmas praise and worship songs this year and one in particular keeps tugging at my heart – A Strange Way to Save the World. Too true! and TOO BLESSED! 🙂 Thanks for more encouragement! Have a blessed week!
Amen to that, Michele. I know that many of my co-workers and friends make home-made goodies. I usually don’t, because I am not a wiz in the kitchen. But I am okay with that.
Merry Christmas and peace in your heart, Michele.
That is just beautiful, Michelle.