Christmas Traditions, Decor, And The Truth!

October had my mind set towards the holidays, Christmas to be exact! I absolutely LOVE Christmas and all the impressive glimmering lights, beautiful decorations, and celebration that comes with it. I was obsessing over a certain Christmas decoration and looking for ways to frugally update my decor. Then it hit me. What was I obsessing and focusing on? Was I missing the mark entirely for what the holiday is meant to celebrate? Are YOU also about to miss the mark entirely for the reason we celebrate Christmas? What exactly are you promoting while you plan out Christmas this year?

A Sobering Thought

A little self examination immediately took place after being awoke around 2 a.m. in the morning. You know that still of the night time with no clamoring issues or people to deal with. Total solitude. God drops important directions and corrections just in this manner. The issue can now be given your undivided attention. To say I felt convicted is an understatement. And in that moment I decided to act on that conviction. There is no better time to correct a behavior than the present. So I took that sobering thought serious. Was my obsessive desire to create a beautifully decorated Christmas home becoming an idol in my heart? Was I desiring eye aesthetically pleasing decor over desiring to portray the true miracle of Christmas? Where was that in my heart? Was it even there while I was dreaming over latest decor ideas?

Heart Reconfigurations

God sometimes conveys correction through comparisons that reveal stark differences like in the book of Proverbs. Often these comparisons require a choice of sides to be on. Such was the case that 2 a.m. morning. My heart was being reconfigured to the truth. When God grants you the choice to change your mind about an issue, that choice is going to be a revision in your heart as well. We all have heard about the materialism, the fairy tales, and sugar plum goodies that make Christmas a magical time. But God deals in the truth. He doesn’t deal in fairy tales and materialism and neither should we. Let us enjoy the beauty and celebration of Christmas, but be certain our hearts are promoting God’s truth and purpose so we don’t miss the mark.

Corrective Comparisons

A series of corrective comparisons were definitely needed in my case. While I was focusing on the aesthetically pleasing the true point was being completely missed. Not intentionally, but honestly, much was being lost in the translation of my portrayal of Christmas in my home and for my family. I was being encouraged to “press in” and compare my portrayal to that of God’s.

Jesus Christ was born in a manger, nothing glitzy or glamourous. There was no hot cocoa bar. No coffee bar either. Baby Jesus was laid in a trough used for feeding farm animals. A manger is not antiseptically clean but in the world’s mire. Not in a warm place but on a cold winter’s night. Not decked out in beautiful decor but in a stable filled with hay. There was no multi-colored strands of blinking lights but the heavenly Star of Bethlehem. He wasn’t protected by an army of medical security staff but by the Spirit of God. My focus was way off mark and God knew it. He gave these corrective comparisons to bring my heart back to the true meaning of Christmas. Let’s not lose sight of the miracle that Christmas is and why.

In Closing

We do not struggle alone to grasp the true miracle of the divine birth of Christ. Press in! Go deeper! Find the true value and meaning and let it change your heart. Make it personal and share it with those you love and come into contact with this Christmas. Would Christmas mean the same to you and your family if your Christmas setting was in a manger this year? It’s not about presents magically brought by a fairy tale Santa Claus driving flying reindeer for sure! Not even about the gifts parents buy from Target, Walmart, Amazon or the mall. It is entirely about the most incredible gift of Salvation from our Heavenly Father to redeem His children back to their rightful place in eternity from a spiritual foe and our fallen nature. PRICELESS!

Without being cliche, how do you instill God’s true meaning and purpose into your Christmas holiday celebration? In an overly saturated and commercialized society that has lost the spiritual significance of Christmas, what is your heart chasing? What is taking prominence and consuming your thoughts, time, and assets? If it is trees, gifts, Santa Claus, snowmen, reindeer, indulgent food, elaborate or glamourous decor, then, my friend, you too are missing the point. PRESS IN! Humbly and prayerfully ask to be shown a new heartfelt revelation of truth concerning your choices of Christmas traditions. For God is not mocked. All will pass away but the true meaning of Christmas will last. Seek it out! Press in deep past the mirage of icing layers to the meat of the issue. Wise men (and women) still seek Him!