Jen Hatmaker has done it again, God bless her.
I know I promised a post about sensory processing, but that is going to have to wait. Jen's latest blog post about Christmas just totally blew my mind. I suddenly find myself agreeing with the SNL character, the church lady. She declared that Santa, when rearranged, spells Satan. (I tried to find a clip of that episode, but couldn't, sorry!) Ok fine, I won't go so far as to say Santa is the work of the devil (or will I?), but I do get tired of saying to my preschoolers each Sunday "Whose coming do we celebrate at Christmas?" and hearing "Santa!" in return.
Christmas is going to be very different for my family this year. Five of us moved far away, and their places will be empty at the big dining room table. We will have too many leftovers. There will not be much under the tree. We will not hear high, piping voices squealing with delight accompanied by the sound of paper shredding in the background. And if we look at Christmas through the American lens, their absence will make the day heart breaking, lonely, and basically a big ol' bummer.
BUT... If, instead, we view Christmas as it was meant to be viewed, as a celebration of the birth of the Savior of the world, then our joy increases rather than decreases. Yes, we will miss those family members (a lot, to be honest). But what greater joy is there than what we have in Christ? If we focus Christmas on the gift of grace rather than the gift of stuff, then we can revel in gratitude, wonderment, and joy. Which I think was kinda the point anyway. =)
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord!
Oh praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
No comments:
Post a Comment