When Christmas Is Hard

All of my classes have taken or will take a test this week as we try to wrap up the semester and get ready for their semester exams. I've included the bonus question, "What is your favorite part about the Christmas season?" on each test. As I've begun grading, I was touched and convicted by several who wrote that "worshiping Jesus" or "celebrating Christ's birth" was their favorite part. Was my heart in a place like that in 7th grade? More importantly, is my heart in the right place now?

I've been so frustrated with the Christmas season this year, to be honest. I wanted to be excited about Adam's and my first Christmas together, but I've been tired and unmotivated. Our tree is up (thank you, Adam!), but I haven't decorated it. I've only bought gifts for 3 people (out of 10ish that I intend to buy for). I'm not counting down the days. I'm nervous about going home because of family stress. Etc, etc, etc... A part of me wishes that we could skip Christmas this year.

But my students reminded me that the decorations, the gifts, even spending time with family is not what Christmas is really about. Christmas is a time to celebrate and to remember the joy of Christ's coming. Jesus left heaven and became a little baby... He left comfort and glory to find cold and rejection... He chose to become flesh... Why? So that He could die. So that He could die and we could become sons and daughters of the King. That's what Christmas is really about. I don't need a tree or gifts to say "Thank you." I don't have to count down, because I can worship every day. I don't even need to worry about the brokenness in my family because the King of the World came and brought healing. He is the reason that Christmas is important.

So when Christmas is hard this year, I'll remember why Christmas is worth it. When Christmas is hard, I'll seek Christ's healing. When Christmas is hard, I'll look away from the presents and decorations and I'll look up.