Teaching Taylor

I think we might have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.

I say that because I think we all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and truly forget the joyous thing we are celebrating. We are stressed about where we are going and what gifts to buy. We’re stressed about what food to make and what drinks to bring. We’re even stressed about what to wear (okay, maybe that’s just me?!)

Maybe you’re not like me, and maybe you’re not even experiencing this stress, but I still think it’s worth noting that even though this time of year is so joyous for some it often isn’t for others.

Christmas Eve service at Eastside reminded me of two things. The joyous gift from God that Christmas allows us to celebrate each year and that I’m not alone with the feeling of stress of the holidays.

The stress of life can sneak up on you and feel like hit, after hit, after hit. The stress might not even be holiday related. It could be project deadlines at work, medical bills, vehicle problems or more. Then add on trying to plan or prepare for the holiday season— that might just feel like hit, after hit, after hit.

Christmas is a celebration of Jesus and his birth. (Go Jesus, it’s your birthday!) but quite honestly, that’s overlooked way more than it should be. Do you know what that gift means to us? So. Many. Things.

That gift means we have a savior. That gift means we have our sins forgiven. That gift means there is eternal hope. That gift means he’s with us in the pits, but also in the praises. That gift means he has our back and we can trust his plan. That gift means that whatever we are struggling with, we won’t face it alone. I saw someone put it this way on a Facebook post today, He was born so we can be reborn. WHAT A GIFT.

That gift means so much more too, but really for some, we are too worried about what gift is under the tree, or worried about who is going to show up to your Christmas party or who will be missing. Maybe you are going to be worried about who is going to follow your Christmas tradition. Maybe you’re worried about interactions with people at the event. We’re worried about so many things that cause the stress of the hustle and bustle and it oftentimes covers up the true meaning of this holiday. Not only does that stress cover up the true meaning, it’s us not putting our trust in our Lord.

It shouldn’t matter if you have one person at your gathering or fifty, Jesus is the reason for the season. It shouldn’t matter if you get thirty presents or none, the best gift has already been given to us.

As this Christmas season comes to a close, I hope you took time do something that brought you joy. I hope you did something that helped you remember the true reason of Christmas.

Merry Christmas, friends.