Merry and Bright

Christmas spirit is something we all long to feel. We want to look at the Christmas lights that hang in our neighbors’ yard and feel all cozy inside, we want to look in the stores and get butterflies when we see the perfect gift for that one family member or friend who is so hard to buy for. We want to bake the perfect cookies, decorate the perfect gingerbread houses and pack in all the festivities and parties along the way.  I don’t believe anyone really starts the holidays with hatred. I do know that the suicide rates go up, depression goes up, anxiety goes up and families experience not so pleasant holidays because of family drama.  Friends the holidays represent a lot of different things and being merry and bright isn’t always the words that come to mind. Two years ago I came home from Haiti dragging.  I couldn’t for the life of me understand the chaos around Christmas.  It wasn’t like Christmas was new but it felt as if I had seen the commercial side of things for the first time. I didn’t want to buy a single gift and y’all my love language is gifts.  Again last year I came home once again felt the same way. I pushed through a little more and was able to experience some pleasant memories throughout the holidays.  Again Merry and bright were not the words I would put with my Christmas spirit.

Finally, it clicked.

This past summer after returning from Honduras I began to really want to soak up the people around me. I cared more about the conversation than anything. It was as if the light bulb went off in my heart and it reminded me that the reason we celebrate Christmas has NOTHING to do with the tangible gifts but more about the gift of friendship, family and worshiping Jesus through the lens of surrender as we recognize the magnitude of His birth.

Favor and delight are words that often leave us questioning our own abilities and after reading both of my friends’ blogs the last two weeks (go read them so so good) I have realized that I can’t gain favor or delight when Christmas or life in general is all about me.

I believe that this season has the potential to be a game changer but you and I have to decided that the hustle and bustle needs to slow down so that we can savor the sausage balls and the sweet conversations that come while munching on the holiday goodies. Don’t let that family member walk out the door with a hug or an I love you.  Look out the window while riding down the road and soak up the Christmas lights. Turn up the Christmas channel on the radio loud and sing even louder.

Everything form of chaos gives us a choice. We can choose to ride the wave and miss the moments or we can surrender to the One who is sovereign over all and truly get what is to live our a season of Merry and Bright.

Isaiah 9:6

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