Putting the Holiday into Perspective
Given some thought to surviving holiday priorities,” I started thinking about the usual candor of holiday stress: the build-up, anxieties, rush, stress, expenses with the attempt to reach the ultimate goal to accommodate, provide, accomplish all the tasks in order to enjoy the holiday season. But hold on to your steering wheel, there’s signs and pitfalls up ahead if you don’t have the right roadmap:
Commercialism: Buy the ultimate 4G phone; Ipads,: mad rush, high credit card bills, binding contracts, long customer service lines for refunds/exchanges; (not to forget adaptors/attachments, WiFi, simcards and minutes needed to run the gizmo). Advertiser’s main goal is to fixate in our minds to buy no matter what. In watching a typical 30-minutes TV sitcom; to my amazement, the run time extended 10-12 minutes more for repetitive commercials given a total of 42+ minutes - I forgot what program I was watching!
Setbacks: It has been tough in the last few years, and frankly 2011 seems to be the toughest for many. The festive mood can be depressing when facing job losses, dwindled savings, homelessness, loneliness, illnesses, the loss of loved ones, separation of families, Attempting to keep up with the traditional “to do” list with less in the midst of variables mentioned above, I don’t think this is what God intended.
Temptation: A few weeks ago to my personal dismay, I became wrapped up in an impulsive frenzy, an unbelievable sales bite aired from a department store advertising big screens for $199 for 1 night only! Trails of customers carted off large TVs bobbing and weaving packed parking lots, long lines
wrapped around the corner with eager and impatient customers. By the time we entered the store, the selected TVs were all sold out. But wait, the irony…my TV blew up one week later – allowing us to enjoy our beloved holiday movies on my daughter’s 19”. Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor? Whichever way you look at this scenario…there is definitely a message: “Be thankful for what we have.” There are so many things we must be thankful for: Precious Life! Living allows us more time to continue our journey in the Gospel of Jesus and to invite others to share in this journey.
Negative Results: Chaos in the media, the downside during this season causes some to seek ulterior actions; domestic violence, theft and other crimes that must not be included in the festive equation. Not justifying bad behavior, some may succumb to pressures in order to accommodate; life is hard, and holidays are extremely hard. Holiday movies makes us warm and fuzzy inside; but viewing fancy homes, traditional families, luxury items (diamond and fast cars) infuse the need for acceptance forcing square pegs to fit the American dream; results - feelings of frustration, deprivation and disappointment.
Motives: God does not want us to be caught up in the frenzy in the “Spirit of Giving” for the wrong reasons: out of obligation to participate, expectancy and entitlement, or to boast; these are not true motivators. We are servants to the Lord to truly give and serve for His name sake…and in turn, we are blessed. Are we helping others in need? Do you help those who need help, companionship, food, clothing; to share in a song or two for the sick and shut ins? Our group is very fortunate to have beautiful, loving and giving members. I witnessed an amazing influx of people pouring out their hearts of love to those in need for Adopt-Families; you have no idea how much you are praised and appreciated for your kindness, love and generosity.
Mapquest the Road of Purpose: Muddled in the moment, outburst of holiday movies and radio stations playing holiday music; in its ratio, how many are truly spiritually acceptable? The Christmas Story…Not the Red Rider: ”you’ll shoot your eye out” movie, but the true Nativity Story is filled with: a love story, miracles, drama, hope, and ultimate glory. Our Lord coming down from Heaven presented to us as Christ Jesus, a baby boy born to the Virgin Mary in all of His Glory to give hope and redemption for all who believe in Him – and this is why we celebrate! We embrace His awesome presence when we prepare in the festivities. We feel the ultimate excitement, joy, and anticipate every awaking moment to embrace this true meaning.
Destination and Safe Arrival: Christ’s gift to us for Christmas is HIMSELF! Free and clear, no down payment, no layaway plan, no monthly bill.
"Father, show them my glory and give them the very delight in me that you have in me." Oh, may we see Christ with the eyes of God and savor
Christ with the heart of God. That is the gift Christ came to purchase for sinners at the cost of his death in our place. This is what the true meaning of Christmas is. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them,
and I in them.tasks at once; you cannot be everyone, be everywhere, doing everything. Set your priorities based on God, through each of us, will be seen, felt and embraced through our love and action. From my perspective, do not try to take in all the your true purpose and goals. Is it pleasing to
God? Will your service honor those in need? Has God equipped you with the means to carry out your holiday tasks without burdening yourself? In 2011, our priorities may have succumbed to the pressures only to crash after the last “white sale,” but remember the sole purpose to celebrate: our Redeemer’s lives forever in our hearts, minds and souls. God bless you all.
Scriptures: Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV)
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
