I realize that most people hate the Christmas rush, but I think that it can be a great thing. You know—the rush to buy presents for family members and friends, the rush to watch every Christmas movie possible, the rush to decorate with cute Christmas décor, and the rush to make cards and cookies. The rush to get it all over with. I love the Christmas rush because it helps me escape…but only for so long.
The Real Reason
To be honest, I don’t like Christmas sometimes. That’s why I try to escape by spending all my waking hours “doing” Christmas. By pouring myself into the gift-giving, cookie-baking, and movie-watching, I can (do my very best to) shift my focus away from the emotional discomforts of the season.
Christmas is a very emotional holiday for me because it comes significant guilt and worry. I feel guilty about the sins that I’m carrying in my life. I feel worried about what future Christmases will look like for me and my family. I feel unpleasantly reminiscent about past Christmases that I had as a child and why my current Christmases are different.
Why does everything have to be so emotionally heavy? Why can’t Christmas—and life in general—be like it was in my childhood? I have sweet memories of Christmas. My parents created wonderful traditions for me and my sisters that I can carry with me throughout life.
But as a young adult, Christmas isn’t the same. Entering the Christmas season means that I’ll be forced to face all of the difficult things that I don’t want to face—including my own sin.
The Real Cure
Who knew that Christmas could be so ugly? Why have I—and perhaps we—transformed a wonderful holiday into a dreadful time of year?
Because we’re broken. And broken people can take anything that’s beautiful and turn it into something ugly.
But just for a moment, ignore the uncomfortable emotions. Without them, what is Christmas?
…behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:18-23 NASB)
Now bring back the uncomfortable emotions. With them, what is Christmas?
…behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:18-23 NASB)
Christmas is the same, friends—no matter how we feel—because Christ is the same.
No Matter What
No matter what your Christmas looks like this year—whether it’s happy, sad, fearful, disappointing, lonely, or frustrating—Jesus is still Emmanuel. Jesus still came to save you. Jesus still wants you to be free from sin.
We shouldn’t brush guilt aside when it’s leading us to repentance or stop being reminiscent because it hurts a little. We can face these challenges knowing that Jesus came to free us from our guilt and our fears. This beautiful holiday is redeemable because He redeemed us when He came to Earth on Christmas.
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