CHRIST-mas

It seems that whenever I hear the words, “I love Christmas,” they are often followed by the word “but” and some reason why the Christmas light has dimmed or gone out completely. I loved Christmas in 2020, but my mother died on December 18 in a hospital bed that was set up in my living room. Her funeral was December 23. The love that usually lit my heart at Christmas was replaced by grief. It took a couple of years before I found the light of Christmas again. (Hint: The light of Christmas is the Light of the World.)

Christmas the next year was interrupted by illness. I had to cancel my plans, intensifying my self-pity and loneliness.

The following year I was determined to enjoy Christmas. I signed up to serve at my church, thinking that would alleviate my loneliness and bring some joy. It was not to be. My plans to spend Christmas with a family member fell through at the last minute and I spent a second Christmas alone. My best efforts didn’t help.

As Christmas approached this year, God penetrated my heart with the answer I was looking for. It came in one word . . .

CHRIST-mas. What I needed was more of Christ in my Christmas. To make room, I needed to evict self-pity and materialism and look for Christ in everything I did, whether it was seeing The Nutcracker for the first time or pulling out old pumpkin and banana bread recipes and baking for my neighbors.

As this change in my thinking took root, two more words came to me . . .

“Even if . . .”

I want to spend Christmas with people I love, but this year I am acutely aware that even if I am by myself, I will not be alone. Jesus is Immanuel – God with us. He will be with me wherever I am and whatever I do.

This year I love CHRIST-mas. No “but. . .” Just more of Christ.

Who? Me? How can you put more Christ into your Christmas?

One More Step What step(s) are you willing to take?