I’ve got a card for everyone. I’ll be seeing his family the 23rd and mine on the 22nd. Wait… I’m forgetting that we will see his other family the 26th. Oh yeah and the other family… and now I don’t have any more Christmas cards. I have to order more!
I scramble to open my laptop. Clicking and tapping the keys, I go to Shutterfly.com to my recent orders. I click our latest Christmas card design. 20 more of these will do. Add to cart. Click. Estimated delivery date December 23-30. Oh…
We tend to get wrapped up in the glamorous gifting of Christmas time. Haha get it? Wrapped? Don’t get me wrong: there is nothing wrong with giving great gifts and pretty cards!
Christmas is the busiest time of the year. Anxiety is increased with the added stresses of the season. People rush to find good deals on an apple watch they know their mom wants. Or they struggle to come up with what to give their husband who has everything he could ever want (you!). Just kidding, but for real why are we so often left feeling empty when giving is the reason for the season?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenged us to love everyone not just love those who love us back. If we are constantly keeping our hearts in check this season we will be lead to love others through gifting.
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Matthew 5:46-47)
As Christians we are called to rise above the stresses of the season and give beyond those who give to us, but how do we practically do that?
- Spend the holidays celebrating with friends and family. Make the most of the season by celebrating with those you know and love. But also spend this season with those you don’t know, but are called to love.
- Go sing carols to the elderly in your area!
- Pass out some Christmas encouragement in the form of cookies
- Invite those to your Christmas party whom you wouldn’t normally invite
- Seek out time to rest in the busy season. Find truth in God’s word and spend time meditating on truth.
There are many other ways to make Christmas merry & bright, but hopefully these ideas get you going. I pray that you carry these truths with you into the new year as we practice them in one of the busier seasons of our lives.
God bless
Love brits
Britney Froese 