Christmas cannot be this close already. Seriously, coming off of two weeks of intermittent sickness in my house, crazy hours at work, so many changes from previous years – just everything right now. I need some more time or the chaos is going to completely take over all of the magic of Christmas.
For a while now while putting on a front, in the back of my mind, I had been sulking – almost dreading – this upcoming season. There is just no way that I am going to get everything done! We have way too much going on. Life is insane and I need it to slow down, or I need more time so that we can even enjoy Christmas at all.
And then at church last Sunday, one of the pastors communicated how everyone feels this way — that Christmas cannot come at such a dark time in our world. There is just too much going on. Whew, I am not alone at least – everyone agrees – this is just a bad time for Christmas right now.
But then he went on to say, “but isn’t that why Christ came in the first place?”
Talk. About. Perspective. Yes, yes indeed, that is why Jesus came. The world was so dark – nothing aligning in the way that God had intended. All around was complete chaos. So, God sent His son into the imperfectness of the world at exactly the right time.
You guys, I cannot even begin to explain what those words did to me – how much they completely opened my eyes. This year has been one of the most challenging years of my life (yeah, I know, and I thought 2020 was going to be the worst). But hearing that pastor remind me that because of this trying year, I need this Christmas season – every single part of it – more than I ever have was comforting.
Does it matter that we had been sick and lost almost 2 weeks of Christmas traditions? Nope. Does it matter that I am in a new position at work and frustrated with myself that I don’t yet “have it” so I feel the need to put in all the extra time? Nope. Does it matter that this year is different – changes and the pain of the past rituals that weigh heavy on the heart of my babies and I? Still, no.
I need this Christmas – we need this Christmas – and the timing of it this year is perfect – even if everything around me feels anything but perfect.
But remember, nothing about the first Christmas was perfect either. I mean, think about it – traveling on a donkey, no room at the Inn, having a child in a manger. Clearly, they didn’t have their lives together either. And yet, it was the most magical day in history that changed the future of eternity for us all.
So, if you are like me and totally feel like you are not ready to take on Christmas this year, if you are scared that you don’t have the time to get everything done, if you are worried that you are not into it enough or the timing is off or even just scared that you are not crushing the magical memories that you so want to pass on to your babies, then remember this: that is exactly the reason that Christmas is so important this year.
It is now, in the middle of the chaos, that we need to take the time to enjoy the season. It is now that we can find comfort in the birth of our Lord. It is now that we can put all our burdens on a sweet baby that came to save us.
Relax, Mama (talking to myself), and take it all in. Do not let the worries of everything surrounding your busy life take away any of the opportunities for the joy that this season has to offer. In fact, instead of seeing it as a burden or extra stress – see it as what it truly is – the perfect time for such a miracle to arrive.
And remember, despite any and everything that may not be right in your life right now, that doesn’t mean that Christmas is not on time. In fact, more importantly, it is a reminder that those things pulling you down — as well as the outward events around the world – are the exact reason that we need Christmas to come soon.
Also, please don’t forget just how simple the first Christmas was. Take a break. Give yourself some grace. This Christmas, and its perfect timing, has every right to be just as simple too.
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