"PEACE," declared the decorative metal letters on my mantle. Yet I felt anything but peace that morning eleven years ago.
My husband and I were raised in an alternative religious tradition that rejected Christmas due to its alleged pagan origins, and we followed its teachings into our early adulthood. So, long story short, I celebrated my first Christmas ever in my 30s. With my two elementary-aged children, who wanted to do ALL. THE. THINGS. Decorate a live tree. The house. The outside of the house. Dress up as a reindeer in the church pageant. Bake molasses spice cookies. Wrap gifts for children in need. Build gingerbread houses. Deliver handmade gifts to friends and neighbors. Go caroling. Visit festively-lit theme parks. And probably several other things which I’ve permanently blocked from memory. Fueled by mom guilt and coffee, I said yes to it all.
To say it was a shock to my system is putting it mildly.
“THIS IS CRAZY,” I told a trusted friend, who knew my backstory. “YOU GUYS DO ALL THIS EVERY SINGLE YEAR?”
Deep down, I think we all know that Christmas has gotten a bit out of hand in our culture. But it wasn’t always this way. To help make peace with the current state of Christmas, and explain my about-face to our children, I had dug deeper than the surface-level encyclopedia articles declaring the holiday’s origins in paganism (spoiler alert: they aren’t). A thousand, even five hundred years ago, it was a relatively simple, Christ-focused observance. So how did we get here? (Don’t worry, that’s a rhetorical question. If you really want to know and have an hour to kill, I’ll happily tell you. My family is tired of hearing about it😂).
But here is a brief overview...
For most of their history, Christmas traditions and symbols were major tools Christians used to share the Gospel. Plays and pageants were vehicles to tell the story of Jesus. Sweets and baked goods were shared with children and the needy as symbols of goodwill and grace. Carols were sung door to door, by groups of carolers that included community leaders, so households would be reluctant to turn them away. So many of our familiar practices and symbols originated as opportunities to discuss the incarnation and what it meant for mankind.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of these traditions. But when the trappings of Christmas get to the point where they distract from Jesus rather than point to Him, we have a serious problem.
I don’t know about you, but so often at this time of year, my heart attitude, and even the words I speak, remind me of Martha in Luke 10. She literally had Jesus in her home, but was distracted by all the preparations she felt she had to make. She grumbled at Jesus, pestering Him to make her sister get up and help. And those of us who naturally identify with Martha know exactly what comes next:
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,
but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Ouch. I felt that sting, deep in my soul. But Martha needed to hear it. And so do I. Hospitality is good. Serving is good. But sitting at the feet of Jesus is better. 🙌
I wish I could say I’ve found the secret to success here. Honestly, there are days I’m still running on caffeine and nostalgia, especially as my oldest spends her last full December at home before leaving for college. But over the years, I’ve found some simple ways to spend time at His feet throughout the holiday season:
Incorporate structured practices like a Jesse tree, Advent wreath, scripture-based ornament set, or guided study into your holiday season. These tools can give your family an opportunity to slow down and focus on Jesus together.
Put Rudolph out to pasture and play Christmas hymns rather than secular holiday songs at home and on the road. Many contemporary Christian artists have recorded modern twists on age-old classics that are rich with theology.
Just say no. Nobody can do everything. Everyone needs a break. After all, even Jesus took naps.
Now, that doesn’t mean we need to jump into the opposite ditch, either. Isaiah 9 explains that Jesus was given unto us. Celebration is a natural response to the gift of salvation made possible through Him. Even the angels, who stood to gain nothing, rejoiced at His birth. And since we are made in His image, it’s natural that we enjoy giving our loved ones good gifts (Matthew 7:11), attending parties (John 2:1-12), and sharing meals with friends (John 12:1-2). So as we gather with friends and family this Christmas, let’s make sure we make time to sit at His feet, too.
What is one Christmas tradition you would never want to give up?
Is there anywhere you sense God calling you to slow down this holiday season?
What is one way you can spend time at Jesus’ feet in the coming weeks
-Kristin Yarbrough, Worthy Content Writer
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