Christmas Without the Sparkle: Finding Joy in the Season's True Meaning

I see the decorations going up. I can’t seem to grasp the season at the same pace as the world. I love the joy it brings to people, but for some reason, I just am not feeling it.

But in this wonder of “why?” I’m met with the Truth.

When Christmas comes around, for no reason at all (or perhaps the only reason), I am reminded that the first Christmas wasn’t decorated with lights and garland, there were no cookies being baked, there were no Black Fridays and Cyber Mondays.  There were no elves on any shelves. There were no radio stations with Mariah Carey on repeat. 

Christmas was simple.  There was a promise made, manifested through everlasting love in a baby. Miraculous and wonderful, but simple.

I don’t feel like decorating yet, and maybe I’ll get there. But right now, I feel the need to share that the posture of our hearts shouldn’t be consumed by the expectations of others and the ones we place on ourselves.

Instead, let us turn away from the hustle and bustle and ask that our hearts be consumed with God’s promises through Jesus:

We get to forgive others because we have been forgiven. We have been given a prince of peace, a wonderful counselor. We have been given freedom, rest for our souls, provision, protection, healing, and hope. The promise of His presence in every corner of our lives. Eternal life where sorrow, tears, illness, and death simply cannot exist in the presence of God.

Your halls may be decked, your tree may be lit, and perhaps there's a mischievous elf causing chaos around your home. These are all delightful traditions, and when we approach them with the right heart, they can bring us closer to God. While I might not pull out every Christmas decoration from the attic and will more than likely buy cookies from the store, I know that the true magic of Christmas is felt in my heart. It’s a season that reminds me of what it’s really all about, and that sense of joy, wonder, and gratitude will carry beyond December.

What makes this time of year special is that a mix of emotions can coexist—loneliness, sadness, overwhelm, frustration, stress, and grief can all be present alongside joy, wonder, and gratitude. It's not either/or; both can be true at once. There can be sadness during the season, but there can also be immense joy. It can be stressful, yet still full of wonder. And even in the midst of difficulty, you may find yourself deeply grateful for knowing Jesus.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas and find that the magic of the season is found in Him.

Photo by Haley Phelps on Unsplash