I used to have mixed feelings about Christmas. There were parts I enjoyed, but also parts that stressed me out. As a person of faith, I wanted to focus on Jesus, but as a mother/consumer/normal person who lives in this century, that always felt difficult. The result was a scramble, overlaid with guilt. All those sermons, bulletins, cookies, gifts, cards . . . !
By the time Christmas came I couldn’t wait till it was over.
A few years ago I began to question my approach. I decided that the distinction between sacred/cultural was at the heart of my problem and perhaps it was unnecessary. Why couldn’t I just do both without feeling like there was some magical standard I needed to live up to? Why couldn’t I celebrate the sacred holiday, and enjoy the cultural festivities both at my own pace?
After that epiphany (if you will) I really took charge of the holiday and tried to be intentional about what I did and didn’t do. Mainly I needed to lose the overlay of guilt.
There are some things I’ve always loved about the holiday, but never got enough of. So I have tried to increase all of those: more sacred music, more silly Christmas music, a really great beef roast at Christmas dinner, lots of twinkle lights.
Perhaps more importantly, I have sliced off or minimized the parts of Christmas I don’t enjoy but felt some pressure to do: Christmas cards, cookie-baking, trips to the mall, ornaments on the tree.
I have tried to eliminate the things that made me feel lousy afterwards: no eggnog, no fudge, no staying in my pajamas all day because I’m exhausted when the holiday is over.
Christmas is a wonderful time to embrace imperfection and love what IS. What is my family right now? What is my life right now? Can I just love it with my whole heart in all its shortcomings?
Case in point: our Christmas tree. That’s it in the picture. It came pre-lit and one of the strings pooped out when we plugged it in this year. See the blank spot? Oh well! I’m rather enjoying its whimsy.
Merry Christmas everybody!
Hi Ruth, I love what you say that “Christmas is a wonderful time to embrace imperfection and love what IS.” Thanks for the reminder! I’ve recently started Twitter and will look for you there, thanks, April
Thanks April!
Amen! And BTW, I think your tree is great!
Pam, thanks!
Really nice, pertinent story to read as I try to cram so much in this week. That is a lame-ass tree, for sure, but mine is only minimally better – here’s to NO GUILT about it
. Merry Christmas, Ruth and God bless us, everyone!
Lame-ass? Did you say Lame-ass, sister? It is! Note to other commenters: If you’re not family and call my tree “lame-ass” there may be consequences! Just kidding, of course. Here’s to a No-Guilt Christmas indeed!