“I can’t do Christmas!”
Anxiety filled my voice and my lower lip protruded while I whined to my husband. Jeff scrunched his face, his eyes narrowing.
“What do you mean, you can’t do Christmas?”
Yeah, as soon as those words rolled out of my mouth, they sounded ridiculous to me too.
“I mean, I can’t do Christmas the way I usually do.” I was actually pondering what would happen if I needed to sit this one out.
Mind you, Christmas is my favorite time of year. First and foremost, the season celebrates the birth of Jesus, who gives my life all its meaning and purpose. In addition, I admit I’m a bit obsessed with the fanfare that accompanies the holiday. I love sprinkling festive décor throughout my house, and annually boasting a large-scale baking operation. I adore gazing at brightly colored twinkling lights, singing Christmas carols, and seeking out special wrapping paper for particular gifts. (I actually try to pick out specific colors and styles of wrapping paper to match certain personalities of my family and friends.) Whaaattt? Yes, I do.
But this year . . . hmmmm.
Not gonna lie. Life’s been tough, especially in the past few months. My challenges have left me depleted of energy and low on celebratory emotions. Sheer exhaustion floods my spirit and I find myself whispering, All I want for Christmas is a long nap.
Have you been there? Are you there right now too?
Perhaps you’ve suffered a tragic loss of a loved one. Maybe you’re buried under a blanket of financial stress. It might be that you’re struggling with relational tension amid family members. It’s possible you’re dealing with a health crisis which has derailed your holiday plans. Or maybe, you just need a cotton-pickin’ break from all the hard stuff you’ve been dealing with.
And now, the Christmas season comes marching in.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger
(Luke 2:11-12).
Ahhhh, yes. Luke reminds us. We don’t need to go through festive motions that may be difficult to muster, or seek out magical holiday feelings in order to do Christmas. We just need to pause and reflect on the birth of God’s son. This is the entirety of the true meaning of the Christmas season, which never changes throughout the year. It’s just as true in December as it is in May. Jesus was born to fulfill the prophecy of a coming King. Christmas is a time to celebrate the One who came to give us joy, hope, and love in every season, regardless of whether we’ve baked our quota of holiday Banana Bread or planted a giant Frosty on our roof in the month of December. Even if we aren’t able—physically or mentally—to purchase one gift or utter a solitary Christmas carol.
Jesus knows your circumstances, and loves and accepts you and me, right where we are. Any time of the year.
If you’re wanting (needing) to simplify your holiday preparations, small efforts can accomplish big goals of making the process much easier. Instead of cooking, purchase ready-made food. Forget the wrapping paper—that’s what bows are for. Use paper plates. Skip threading garland all over your bookcases and light a red candle instead. Focus on tasks that bring you joy rather than dwelling on a must-do list. But, hear me on this: even if you aren’t able to simplify any efforts at all, it’s still okay. You’re still okay.
If you need to sit this one out, it’s completely okay.
I’m not sending Christmas cards out this year. Just can’t do it. I may not even bake one holiday cookie. And, guess what? The earth will continue to turn. No one is going to care (except my kids might miss those cookies). I’ll do what I can, when and how I can, and rest in God’s assurance to help me walk through whatever path I’m on.
If you need to sit out on this holiday’s festivities, in part or in whole, just promise me one thing. Don’t sit out on Christmas. Focus your eyes on the baby in the manger, your Savior and King, Jesus, and embrace the season for all God designed it to be.
If you’re wondering what will happen if you’re not completely present for all the holiday hoopla this year, do not fret. It’s 100% acceptable to sit this one out.
Jesus will still be there.
2 thoughts on “If You Need To Sit This One Out”
Humm,good advice and yes steller idea, but to late for me, house is adorned and even have my theme, but it’s never to late to start a new tradition. Next year I think I will “sit this one OUT!!
Nice! Of course, you don’t “have” to sit anything out at all—just keep the focus where it needs to be. Merry Christmas!