Believers and Holidays

Holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, are times when memories are made. For some, these holidays are full of precious memories of time spent with loved ones in happiness and general excitement over the celebration. For others, the holidays carry unfortunate memories of holidays spent in sadness over lost loved ones or family tension. As someone who grew up in a dysfunctional family, I have both good and bad memories. Some years, I have dealt with depression, and others, I have felt excitement and joy during this time of the year. These emotional swings happen to believers and unbelievers alike.

On Christmas, we celebrate the baby born and laid in a manger. That may be how many think about Jesus on Christmas, but as believers and followers of Christ, we know that He went on to do so much more. He spent 33 years on this earth living a sinless life. He, being fully God and fully man, suffered much before being killed on the cross. He didn’t die for His sins but for ours. He was buried, but He didn’t stay buried. God, the Father, raised Him from the dead, which is why we celebrate Easter each year! You may have heard the saying, “Christmas begins what Easter celebrates.” Jesus ascended to heaven and is still alive, interceding for us at the right-hand side of God. How amazing!

Believers have two holidays to celebrate God’s mercy and grace on us. Other traditions that are often part of these holidays, such as Santa, presents, Easter eggs, and dressing up in your Sunday best for an Easter service are not bad, but as believers, Jesus, our Savior, should be the main focus. May we always remember that He is the real “reason for the season.”

Thankful Always

This year, Thanksgiving and Christmas fall less than 30 days apart. It feels a little like a mad dash trying to jump from one major holiday to the next. As we enter the Christmas holiday this year, I have made it a point to continue focusing on the thankfulness believers typically emphasize at Thanksgiving. Thankfulness to God, our Father, Savior, and Provider, to be specific.  

We live in a country that is abundant in wealth and provision. Even people experiencing poverty in the USA are better off than many in other countries as far as food, clean drinking water, healthcare, etc. We often don’t slow down and recognize how blessed we are. Unfortunately, I tend to take those blessings for granted every single day. It is easier for me to think about what I don’t have or how others have hurt me.

As we reflect on Thanksgiving and look forward to Christmas, what would it look like to continually include the spirit of gratitude from one holiday to the next, 365 days each year? During my nightly prayer, I have started thinking in grateful detail about my blessings. I then thank God for blessings that are often overlooked. In doing this, I found that I must make time for thankfulness to God, my heavenly Father, Christ, my Savior, and the Holy Spirit, my Helper. This type of thankfulness is not a default action for many of us, but as we focus on His goodness, we are reminded that we have been given so much.

Some blessings I noted about myself are that I am created uniquely, have breath in my lungs, can love and be loved, and have many blessings that others do not have. Most importantly, God’s gift to me is that I have a heart for the Lord and a general love for the world where people are lost without a Shepherd. May I continually grow more Christ-like each day in my thoughts and actions.

When He saw the crowds, He (Jesus) had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36 NLT)

We have a great Shepherd! Not just on holidays, but every day. If I pause long enough in prayer, listing what God has done for me, the gratitude turns to praise for God and my salvation, which I don’t deserve. I am thankful for the opportunity to share my testimony and the Gospel through interactions with people throughout the day and through writing. I want to continue giving this thankfulness and praise to God; even when I am going through hard things I don’t fully understand. Even if I am criticized or persecuted for following Christ, I hope to be like Peter and the apostles.

…and when they (the council) had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they (the apostles) left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. (Acts 5:40-42 ESV)

As I write this, it is a few days before Christmas, and at times, I have felt moments of stress that often come with this holiday season. In my stress, I have practiced going to God with thankfulness and praise. Had I not done this, the stress would have continued, causing me to miss out on the joy that God provides. If we are so wrapped up in anxiety and worries, we can also miss out on the joy of celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Reflecting on Jesus's sacrifice, I am overwhelmed by how amazing God is. He cared enough to redeem and restore a previously lost sinner like me. My desire is to be more like the shepherds and the wise men, following Jesus in adoration.

So enjoy your time with your family. Enjoy the gift-giving, the merriment, and the celebration. But, above all else, bask in the greatest gift of all: our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Know that the LORD, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! (Psalm 100: 3-4 ESV)