Every year, I start getting excited about Christmas around August. I am usually ready to start working on Christmas music with our choir and casting people for the drama. I love the final production and the ministering it can do for others. I love buying for my friends and family and giving gifts. I love the traditions that I have enjoyed creating with others. Yet, in all of this, if I am not careful, I can become tired and wish it were all done and over. I have learned to keep my focus on the true meaning of Christmas so that I do not lose the joy of Christmas.
Several safeguards I’ve put in place in my life keep me from becoming frustrated and tired of the season. First, I make sure I do not neglect my time with the Lord. Each day, I spend time with Him in study and prayer. There is a reason we are told in Psalm 118:24, “This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Every day is a new day. A day that has its own troubles and its joys. It is our choice to let it get the best of us, or to rejoice and focus on God’s goodness. It is a choice we make every day. If we neglect Him, we will miss the joy, and the troubles will plague our minds. If we focus on His goodness, everything becomes easier.
Another safeguard I put in my life is to make sure I do not miss church. No matter what the day has brought my way, I always feel better after singing praises to Him and listening to His word preached. During that time, my phone is in my purse and on silent. I use my Bible so I am not distracted by anyone or anything. It is only a few hours a week, but it is always what I need to refocus on what is important. In Hebrews 10:25, we are told to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as we see the day of Jesus second coming approaching. We are closer now than ever before, and we are to assemble more now than ever before. Yet, we allow this world to rob us of fulfilling this command. God knows what we need, and we must trust His word. I do not allow the family of anyone else to interfere with my time with the Lord. Parties and family get-togethers are great, but they should not take the time of our worship and ministering to others. We must think of it as an opportunity for our words that “God is first in our lives” to be seen in our actions. If we think that skipping church so that we can spend time with lost relatives will help, you have not realized that your actions are speaking louder than your words. You have chosen them over obeying God. Let them know you love them, but schedule another time.
The next thing I do is remember why I am doing what I am doing. I do it to honor and glorify God, and He is not glorified when I am giving in to my feelings. He is glorified when it is all about Him, and I do not make it about me. If I am tired, I rest, but not when it is time for my worship. Not only is it bad for me to miss study, prayer, and worship time, it is a bad witness to others. What I do does affect others. I am either a positive or a negative example in all I do or say.
These are the things that have helped me to keep the joy of Christmas as it is supposed to be. This joy will allow me to enjoy all I do and to be a better example to others. He is so worthy of more than I could ever offer. Still, during this season, I am reminded everywhere I look of the God in heaven who came to this sin-cursed earth to become a human and experience life as a man, so that He could die for my sins to make the redemption of my soul possible, so that I could spend eternity with Him. Now, that should cause you to have the joy of Christmas in your soul
