Treasures at Christmas
Christmas Rules: (seen on facebook)
Don’t go into debt trying to show people how much you love them.
Don’t go visit your family if it compromises your mental health
If someone comments on your weight… eat them.
In all seriousness, this season can be anything but joyful for a lot of people. Many stress about how they will afford all of the gifts they need to purchase, they worry about whether or not politics will come up at the dinner table. Or it can be more heartbreaking. Maybe the absence of a loved one causes an ache in your heart that no one can understand.
Many of us have unrealistic expectations of the holiday. We have pinterest worthy pictures in our heads of how Christmas Morning will go, how the meal will be just right and those chocolate reindeer you saw online will be the cutest darn things you've ever made. Somehow many of us get confused. It's a deep heart confusion where suddenly our worth is tied into how we perform. We can feel stressed and unhappy in a time that should bring joy at what the celebration is all about.
There is a phrase that shows up twice in Luke that has always caught my attention. I want to share it with you and I hope it inspires you like it does me.
First, some back story… you know it but I’ll catch you up...
Luke 2:16 So they (the shepherds) hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
In this season, I want to challenge us to look at our expectations.
Of course Mary did not live like we do with our birthing plans and epidurals. But I am certain what she had dreamed for her life was not becoming pregnant before she was married. I am also certain that she was not planning on having the child of God in a manger. Humanly speaking, maybe she was thinking at least there would be some fine cloth for him or a nice cradle at least? I don’t see any mention of her complaining at all. She thanked God for the incredible honor and challenge he gave her. She listened to what the Shepherds were telling them and others and she was in awe of what she got to be a part of. This is a far cry from being disappointed. She knew that all was exactly as it was supposed to be. It was far from perfect. But it was what God had intended. She treasured up all of these things and pondered them in her heart.
Our expectations of the holidays likely need to be re-examined. We need to open our hearts for what God intended. We need to accept the less than shiny parts and yet still look for what God is doing even in the messy (and likely stinky) manger.
What expectations are you holding that are almost certainly going to lead to disappointment? How might you challenge those and open your heart to what God will do instead?
Later, starting at Luke 2:44 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
Can you imagine? Um, Hello God, its me Mary. I lost your son. We thought he was with us but well, he wasn’t. I will try to do better. Can you just help us find him?
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Luke 2:51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Not only do we need to be careful about expectations. We also need to look for the bigger picture. Can you imagine the fear they felt when they couldn’t find him? And then to find him in the temple courts speaking wisdom beyond his age. She held onto the bigger picture. I am certain it is what gave her strength to be his mother. She had a firm grasp on the idea that all of these experiences needed to be treasured in her heart because there was a larger story unfolding and she had a front row seat.
We don’t know what God is up to all of the time. But we do know that he sent his Son for us. Be mindful when you start to get overloaded with all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays. When we feel overwhelmed, we need to take a moment and soak in his love. Pastor Alan calls it a delight pause. I think its very important that we take a moment to do just that. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the holidays or sadness is washing over you as you deal with disappointment, I want to challenge you to take a moment and allow Jesus to shower you with his love.
Lets try it. Close your eyes and picture Jesus looking lovingly at your face. Soak in the warmth of his radiant light. Accept that he loves you so much right where you are. He knows your heart. He sees you. You are not alone.
Keep your eyes open for what God is doing in the midst of this season. Notice the bigger picture and treasure those things in your heart.
By Dondi Gesick MA LPC