Christmas Joy

A thought occurred to me recently that Christmas is about the presence, not the presents. Hmm, do you suppose I could make cute little plaques that say that and sell them? Yet another Christmas decoration to clutter up somebody’s house.

Not that I’m against Christmas decorations. Or against Christmas. But I’ve learned that Christmas the way the world celebrates it is not beneficial to my soul.

I’m sure you are experiencing the same thing I am — floods of ads urging me to buy, buy, buy. Yes, the Magi took gifts to Jesus, but only three things, not a mound of packages. All the songs and stories about Santa are cute, but they leave the impression that the presents are the main event. It doesn’t help when adults ask children this time of year, “What do you want for Christmas?”

I’m not leaving myself out of this, because I did the same thing for lo, these many years. I was raised that way and never gave it much thought.

I’m not against presents, or baking cookies, or any other Christmas traditions. I’ve just come to know that these things need to be done in moderation. If something becomes a burden instead of a joy, I know I’ve gone too far. And if it takes my focus, or anybody’s focus, off the main point of Christmas, it definitely needs to be reconsidered.

God wants us to give to people without expecting anything in return, so I have taken that approach so Christmas. I like to send Christmas cards, but I don’t keep track of who sends one in return. I give gifts to people I want to give one to, and if I receive one from somebody I didn’t give one to, I just accept it as a happy surprise and don’t feel guilty. I choose events or parties that make me feel happy and turn down those that make me feel stressed. 

I put up some decorations, but my house certainly doesn’t look like the ones in those Christmas movies — that would be too much work and leave me tired and stressed, not happy. I like a reasonably tidy house, but don’t go on a cleaning frenzy and try to make everything “perfect.” I love Christmas cookies, but with less energy these days, I no longer insist that I have to make all of them myself. In other words, I have learned to just relax and enjoy the season as it comes.

One thing I enjoy is reading some sort of Advent devotional book during December. I have also followed an idea I read about to read one chapter of Luke every day beginning on December 1. Luke has 24 chapters, so by Christmas Eve you’ve read the entire story of Jesus’ life. I may do that again this year.

A personal Christmas tradition that is very important to me is charitable giving. I put some money in every red kettle I pass throughout the season, with a large denomination bill going into the very first one I encounter. There are plenty of other opportunities for donations around the community, too. I find that a more satisfying use of my money than buying more decorations for my house or extra presents for people who already have too much “stuff” in their house.

I do some fun things for myself, too. I enjoy Christmas movies and you can find me watching one most evenings in December. Yes, I even watch the Rudolph movie. I also love to read and have a basket of Christmas books I bring out right after Thanksgiving every year. I add a few new ones to the basket during the year so I have some new ones to read in December as well as the old favorites.

I don’t want to sound “preachy,” just hope that people will think about how they celebrate Christmas and make some adjustments if necessary. Christmas is about the birth of my Savior, so when people ask me, “Are you ready for Christmas?” I answer truthfully, “Always!” I hope you can do the same. A merry and blessed Christmas to all of you!