When Christmas Looks Different
The Christmas season has always been a special time of year for me. My mind is filled with sweet memories of Christmases past.
In our family, Christmastime begins the day after Thanksgiving. This is usually when we cut our tree and start decorating. Throughout the month we watch Christmas movies, bake holiday treats and listen to non-stop Christmas classics, with a little bit of George Strait’s “Merry Christmas Strait to You” in the mix. Of course, there’s the mad dash of last-minute shopping because we never start early like we plan to, and the holiday gatherings we try to attend. But my favorite moments have always been the early nights with the kids on the floor by a warm fire, with soft music playing while the Christmas tree twinkles.
Then it all begins to change
The kids grow up, people move away or pass on, and there’s a shift that rocks your world a bit. Family traditions take place differently or not at all and the kids are now calling instead of shaking presents under the tree. Maybe you live too far from home to be with family.. So, you sit quietly now, shopping online while “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” drifts softly from the radio in the next room.
Be of good cheer
If we aren’t careful, it can be easy to feel low this time of year. Accepting changes can be difficult. However, we must accept the ebb and flow of life and find contentment and joy in even the simplest of Christmas celebrations. While we all cherish our holiday traditions with family, the true celebration lies in the gift of Jesus, given to us so many years ago. If we keep this gift at the center of our hearts, we can more easily navigate the changes and challenges that come our way.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
-Luke 2:1-20
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Such a beautiful reminder to not take our current situations for granted! We can be hurt and healed through family and traditions and change. How blessed we are with kids at home right now and pray for grace to accept changes to this in the future. Great post.
Yes, well said! Thank you very much. Blessings to you and yours from ours.
This was so sweet. I still have children from teenager down to 1. But, it was such a sweet reminder for me to cherish these years of Christmas now, which I really do. But, we are going through a transition season in our family living somewhere temporarily. So, it applies to us in that it totally could not feel like home and Christmas this year, but we have been making the best of it and savoring where we are right now. This makes me want to be even more intentional. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you found it relatable and helpful. We have been in transition several times over the years and have found ourselves having a camper Christmas more than once. (old house renos) It’s hard, especially when you have kids at home. You want to make those “perfect” memories but it doesn’t always turn out like you envision. I’ve had to learn to lean into the moments more than the surroundings while memory making, if that makes sense.. Best wishes to you and yours. 🙂
Beautiful post. Thank you for this.
Thank you and you’re welcome. 🙂