How I Failed Christmas
It’s been a little while since I’ve posted, and I can tell you why. Working two jobs takes up a lot of time. When the small amount of time you have at home is spent trying to clean the house and spend time with your family... who has time for blogging anyway?
So, I’m here now because it’s almost Christmas. And I failed at Christmas this year. No, I don’t mean I didn’t decorate the house, or I didn’t get presents for everybody, or I didn’t make Christmas cookies (although some of those things are true, too).
I failed because I lost the true meaning of Christmas. People who know me know that I have a slight obsession with Christmas. People who know me well know why I love Christmas so much. Songs like O Holy Night still move me to tears. The thought of God sleeping in a manger gives me shivers. The idea that God bridged the enormous gap between us by becoming one of us is HUGE. That’s the beginning. That changed everything!
And this little bundle of anxiety is sitting here desperately hoping my Christmas presents will be done on time. The other day, I got so stressed out about everything that needed to be done that I started crying about it. What happened to peace on Earth? To be honest, I’m a little disappointed in myself. Christmas is four days away and I’ve barely thought about it. Last year, during Advent, Judah and I read a little piece of the story of Jesus’ birth every night, but for some reason, we never got around to it this year. Too busy.
My favorite Christmas tradition from my childhood is setting up the Nativity scene. We’d do it every year at the beginning of the season. We’d place each piece one by one, all except for one. The figurine of baby Jesus would be hidden in a teacup in the china cupboard until Christmas Eve, when we’d place him in the manger. Every day, when I walked through the front door, I’d see the empty manger, waiting to be filled. Anticipation. Excitement. That’s what this season is all about. And I forgot that this year.
I’m starting to realize something. Remembering the true meaning of Christmas isn’t something that happens naturally. It requires discipline and diligence. I need to deliberately put aside all of my busy-ness and slow down. Well, I’ve got four days left.
Before I go, I’ll leave you with a clip from my favorite Christmas movie.
So, I’m here now because it’s almost Christmas. And I failed at Christmas this year. No, I don’t mean I didn’t decorate the house, or I didn’t get presents for everybody, or I didn’t make Christmas cookies (although some of those things are true, too).
I failed because I lost the true meaning of Christmas. People who know me know that I have a slight obsession with Christmas. People who know me well know why I love Christmas so much. Songs like O Holy Night still move me to tears. The thought of God sleeping in a manger gives me shivers. The idea that God bridged the enormous gap between us by becoming one of us is HUGE. That’s the beginning. That changed everything!
And this little bundle of anxiety is sitting here desperately hoping my Christmas presents will be done on time. The other day, I got so stressed out about everything that needed to be done that I started crying about it. What happened to peace on Earth? To be honest, I’m a little disappointed in myself. Christmas is four days away and I’ve barely thought about it. Last year, during Advent, Judah and I read a little piece of the story of Jesus’ birth every night, but for some reason, we never got around to it this year. Too busy.
My favorite Christmas tradition from my childhood is setting up the Nativity scene. We’d do it every year at the beginning of the season. We’d place each piece one by one, all except for one. The figurine of baby Jesus would be hidden in a teacup in the china cupboard until Christmas Eve, when we’d place him in the manger. Every day, when I walked through the front door, I’d see the empty manger, waiting to be filled. Anticipation. Excitement. That’s what this season is all about. And I forgot that this year.
I’m starting to realize something. Remembering the true meaning of Christmas isn’t something that happens naturally. It requires discipline and diligence. I need to deliberately put aside all of my busy-ness and slow down. Well, I’ve got four days left.
Before I go, I’ll leave you with a clip from my favorite Christmas movie.
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