Christmas Perspective

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is a familiar Christmas song sung by many different artists over the decades.  And I couldn’t agree more.  I love everything to do with Christmas and the many celebrations surrounding December 25th. But if we are not careful this “most wonderful time of the year” can also bring about stress, exhaustion, dread and over-spending.  So, how do we keep a proper Christmas perspective?

I’m sure there would be many different responses if this question was posed to a gathering of people. What helps me keep a proper Christmas perspective is a statue my parents gave me years ago when I was first married.  This statue shows Santa Clause kneeling before baby Jesus.  Santa is holding his hat and bowing his head, showing his reverence for the new born King and demonstrating the proper Christmas perspective for all to see.

This statue is always placed under our tree in the living room.  Daisy and I have “Bible Time” every morning in this room as well so I am able to begin each day looking at this statue.  It serves as a reminder to keep my eyes on what is truly important this time of year.

Now, there are many saying that serve to do this as well: “Keep Christ in Christmas,”  “Jesus is the reason for the season,” etc. They all help us remember that to have a proper Christmas perspective we must remember what December 25th and the entire Christmas season is all about.

Christ is the reason for Christmas.

Now, I love the shine of white lights, the beauty of the Christmas tree looming high in the living room, the hustle and bustle of finding the perfect gift, the busyness of baking, wrapping, special concerts, family gatherings, etc.  And for someone who has gifts as one of her love languages, I derive great joy from giving and getting presents.

But in the midst of all the above, it is easy to get distracted by our to-do’s.  It is easy to run ourselves ragged and become overwhelmed with all that needs to get done.  When I feel this come on, I know I have lost my perspective.

You see, there is nothing wrong with all the wonderful activity mentioned above.  But all those special to-do’s should add to our joy over this special time of year, not detract from it.  We incorporate all those fun events as we prepare to celebrate with family and friends, but the season’s preparations were never meant to overshadow the true Christmas focus – Christ.

Jesus was born as a baby, in a manger, in the quiet of the night.  Now, there was a party.  His earthly mom and dad were there, as well as His friends, the shepherds and wise men.  They all gathered and just celebrated the new born King.  No stress, just joy.  And just like Santa in my statue, they all bowed and worshipped and kept their focus on Christ.

Let’s ask ourselves, “If all the preparations halted, if all the gifts went away, if all the lights turned off….would we still have Christmas?” With a proper perspective we would all answer with a resounding yes.  Because we always still have Christ!

“The angel said to them (shepherds), ‘Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 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.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on when his favor rests.'” (Luke 2:10-14)

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son,

born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law,

that we might receive the full rights of sons. “

Galatians 4:4-5

This is Christmas.  This is why Jesus came.  This is why we celebrate.

May all our Christmas celebrations be filled with the fullness of love and peace that Jesus came to bring.