on Christmas

Recently I was speaking with a friend and mentor about the meaning of Christmas. I was sharing how I so often felt let down by the holiday season, how it just doesn't feel the way it did when I was a child, how I don't feel like I am able to get into the "Christmas spirit", how I feel guilty for not having my heart focused on Christ, etc...

He pointed out a distinction which I think is helpful between the sentimentality and the spirituality of a given holiday. It is not that there is anything innately wrong with being sentimental and having "warm feelings" about a special day or time of year, about the time spent with family and friends, about the memories of previous holidays and the people we were with then... but if this sentimentality pushes out the spirituality, we have replaced the God of Christmas (or Thanksgiving or Easter) with the god of family or friends or comfort or, ultimately, just the plain old fashioned god of me and my pleasure.

I don't appreciate the word balance in relation to my relationship with God because it seems to put Him on the same plane with everything else, but for lack of a better word; I am seeking a better balance this year... one in which I enjoy the season and the opportunities it gives for spending special time with family and friends and for creating traditions and memories, but also a season in which Christ is honored, in which the overwhelming awesomeness of God coming to earth in the flesh, as a baby, as a Savior, is impressed upon and celebrated in my heart.

Father, please help me to truly worship you and honor your Son this Christmas, help me to lead my family into traditions that are centered upon you and show how amazing the advent really is!, Be glorified in the meals that we eat, the gifts that we give and receive, and in the quiet moments of reflection. Thank you for the incarnation of your Son as our Savior, Redeemer and King! Please help me to be satisfied with all that He is and will be. For your glory and for Jesus sake, I pray... Amen.