Christmas in July

So I have been thinking about this idea for a while and really think I want to commit myself to it this year. Please first note that I am not a Scrooge and I am not staking claim to be against all holiday traditions. I say holiday because I believe it fits most traditions better than a linkage to a true Christmas. What about them is centered on Christ? For some believers there may be a moment during the season that reflections of its origin takes place. Maybe it’s through a reading, a time of singing or a Christmas church program. But haven’t even these things been found tainted with selfishness? We want to sing our favorite song, not because of its message but because of its happy tune or because we like the way the different parts sound together. We leave a church program feeling in the “Christmas spirit” because of the warm and fuzzy storyline. One of the better intentions of holiday traditions has got to be the emphasis on family time. It’s a quality factor in our lives, but the presence of Jesus is still missing from the equation.

Of course, today’s reality of the whole season is spent restless with the strangers around us on the roads and stores. American marketers know it is the time to push consumers to spend well beyond there means. Gift giving can be more about meeting expectations than sharing a heart of love. Many people find themselves in the weeks prior Christmas day saying to themselves that it doesn’t feel like Christmas. I’ve said it. I’ve even felt that way in the midst of family at a dinner table on Christmas day. What does that mean? It doesn’t feel like Christmas? Does it mean all of our expectations of the holiday are not in place? Does it mean the fresh blanket of snow isn’t in its place (not for a FL girl)? Does it mean we weren’t able to find that perfect gift for someone we love?

Well, all of this is to say I am planning to commit this year to be free of all expectations and traditions. I want to go back to the core. I’ve heard others say and have said to myself before that I need to focus more on the meaning of the season. I want it to be more than a Bible study. I don’t want it to be about me at all. When I think of Christ’s entire existence on this earth I think of selflessness. I don’t want an empty Christmas, but I do want to discover a selfless one.

What is Christmas? It’s a celebration of Christ’s birth. Birthdays are meant to be about celebrating an individual’s life. Sure we celebrate Christmas, but who’s our celebration for? When we celebrate a person’s birthday, gifts and special time with that individual are commonplace. How can I give to my Savior? How can I spend time with Him? As I considered these questions my mind went directly to the Scripture I want to hold as inspiration for this coming season.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

(Matthew 25:34-45, NLT)

Where can Jesus be found? In the least of these. That’s where I want to be. That’s where I need to be.

I want to spend this Christmas with those Christ would want to spend His birthday with. I plan to make it happen. It’s not going to be a matter of putting a portion of my time into this, but giving the whole season back to my Christ.

Many Christians have expressed outrage as the term holiday has become more prominent in attempt to be politically correct. But, has Christmas been missing from our season for much longer? I’m afraid that for many “righteous” followers it has.