The Christmas "rush" has begun....and I remember it well. I remember the stress and the heavy burden I allowed it to become. But not any more.
I celebrate Christmas very differently than most, and very differently from the way I did it in years past. I read a quote this week that sums up my outlook on Christmas celebrations.
"Whenever Christmas begins to burden, it’s a sign that I’ve taken on something of the world and not of Christ."
Years ago, I read the book Unplug the Christmas Machine, and it
had a profound impact on me. I was a young mother at the time, and
completely worn out by "Christmas". I ran myself ragged shopping,
decorating, entertaining, being entertained...and you know the rest of
the story. After reading the book, I decided to do Christmas in a different way and it has evolved over time. Slowly, I began to do gifts
differently. I shopped, spent, and decorated less, and began to worship
more.
Who is Christmas about, after all? Isn't it about Yeshua? Weren't the
first gifts brought to Him? I can remember, as a small girl, feeling
like something was missing at Christmas. Yes, I knew and read the story
of His birth...but what was I giving Him? My little girl heart
knew He was being ignored... in spite of all the decorations, presents,
parties, and hoopla. Even as a small girl, I sensed He was grieved.
Somewhere along the line, in my desire to love Him and honor Him,
I read about the pagan basis for Christmas.** I learned that Yeshua was
most likely not born in the winter because the shepherds were tending
their flocks in the hills. I learned that the Bible says not to put a
tree in your house and decorate it (Jer.10:1-5). And don't even get me
started on Santa Claus. I had to ask myself if God is pleased by
telling children that lie. I have a grandson now, and I much prefer
that he learn about God's appointed feasts and festivals than the
world's. I'm thankful that his parents feel the same.
Yeshua celebrated those feasts, as well as Chanukkah (a traditional celebration). He also said, "I
have not come to do away with the Law, but to fulfill it." I don't
think He meant to stop celebrating His feasts, but to realize in
celebrating them that He is the fulfillment of them. They are all
tactile, hands-on lessons that teach us about His character and about
our relationship to Him. Yeshua is, after all, the God of the Old
Testament, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If he said
we would observe His feasts forever, shouldn't we be doing that and
follow His example?
For that reason, I celebrate Chanukkah - with Yeshua as the Light of the World. I observe Christmas as the fact that He was born as a man. I worship Him - not the Christmas tree, or the presents, or the whole machine that Christmas has become. I'm much happier doing it that way.
For me, Christmas is a time of peace and of drawing close to Him. I
thank Him that He was willing to become a man and to suffer as we do in
this earth, to understand our frailty. I thank Him that He didn't give
in to sin so that He could be that perfect offering for sin. I
thank Him for His light that has shone in my heart and taken root
there. I thank Him for the blessing of being in His family and for the
gift of His Word to guide my life. I thank Him for the Ruach Hakodesh
living inside me. I am so glad He came.
What's funny about being a Messianic Jewish believer is that sometimes Chanukkah comes before Christmas, and then sometimes it's just the
opposite. So, mostly, we celebrate all month long - that Yeshua was
born and that He was the Light of the World. We put up blue and white
lights and listen to Hanukkah music as well as songs of Christmas that
celebrate our Savior's birth. We make special foods and fellowship with
friends. Yes, I do give gifts, but they are quite minimal. No more
pushing myself to keep up with the Christmas machine. I play music, and
go to free concerts that focus on Yeshua. I ride around and look at
the lights and worship my Savior. My heart is so full of gratitude and
worship.
This video is so wonderful. I hope you'll watch it, and stand up with
me and praise and worship Yeshua - the King of Kings and L-rd of Lords.
Halelu-yah! (a great Hebrew word that means Praise God!).
Food Court Haleluyah
** please read this post about the birth of Yeshua The Birth of Yeshua
To learn more
about Chanukkah, please enjoy this previous post: Yeshua is the Light
My book about how we celebrate both holidays is a great resource: Happy Chanukah and Christmas, Too
Here's a beautiful gift of song for YOU, dear Gail-Friends: A playlist of worship songs by my daughter.
(This is a re-post from 2019)
This is a beautiful explanation. I agree with much of it.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from the Homemaking Party.
God bless you as you seek Jesus in whichever way you choose!
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Thank you, Laura. Hope you have a blessed, worship-full Christmas.
ReplyDelete