But seriously, there are people out there who are trying to harsh my Holiday Happy. They are the ones who complain about the people who put their lights and decorations up early (mine go up at Thanksgiving). They are the people who complain about the Christmas music being played too early-- really? So, let me get this straight, you would rather listen to some crappy, depressing song with questionable lyrics instead of Christmas music? They are the people who complain throughout the Holidays about the crowds, the shopping, the nativity scenes, etc.... These are the same people who get all bunged up about whether I say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. And for the record, I say both, because more than one Holiday takes place in the November to January time period. Whatever. These are the same people who complain about commercialism (it happens, but I think it isn't as prevalent as people make it seem). They complain about the gifts they receive. They don't like the gift, or feel like they can't compete with the gift giver (who says it's a competition?), they complain about having to go out and get the gifts in the first place. They complain about being slighted by family. They complain about gathering with family. They complain about traffic. They complain about the food. They complain about not having enough time... Complain, complain, complain....
And to them, those who are trying to drag down my Holiday/Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year happy I say this:
Don't get your Tinsel in a Tangle.
Seriously, just stop it. Stop. Do you not realize that the Christmas season is a gift? It's a gift given to EVERYONE. Really. Everyone can have this gift. God gave the gift of his son to everyone. Not just those who deserve it (for which I am grateful). This gift was given freely so that all may know what true love looks like. Jesus is the ultimate gift. There's no "outdoing" this gift. And this amazing gift costs me nothing, yet gives me everything. And when I truly take a minute to just stop, and contemplate how amazing this gift is, my only response is overwhelming gratitude and joy. How could I not love this seasonal reminder of God's extreme, radical, all-out love for me and all of human kind? And, how can I not share this joy unspeakable with those around me?
I share this joy as much as I can. Sometimes all I can do is smile at those around me. Believe me, when you are stuck in a long line at the store, this is a great gift you can share. And it is easy and costs you nothing. I can share an encouraging word with someone. I can bake cookies for those I love and hold dear, as well as for a few strangers with whom I have brief contact with over this Holiday season. I can volunteer. I can give to charity. I am greatly aware that I alone cannot change all that is wrong in this world (poverty, war, abuse), but I can at least do my part to bless as many people as I can-- believing that God somehow multiplies the little I can give. I invite friends over for special dinners filled with good food, great company, and shared love. I can purchase gifts for my friends and family that I know will bring them joy. I don't do this to receive anything in return. I have already received the greatest gift anyone could ever give me. Instead, I am doing this because God has blessed me, and I firmly believe that it is my job to share these blessings with others. I do all this not out of a need to be recognized, but instead out of a need to recognize all that God has done for me. And I do not let feelings of insecurity, guilt, or shame take away the pleasure of offering up what I can to others. Even if it feels inadequate, or small, or insignificant. At each point in my life I have firmly believed that God has placed me where I was/am, with the resources I had/have, to bring specific blessings to others. I pause now for a sidebar piece of unsolicited advice: I ask you to receive any gifts you may get this season with gratitude and with love, not worrying about competition, or expectancy, or guilt. When you react to a gift with guilt or anything other than love, you ruin the best part of the gift. It's a gift. Receive it as such. And move on. Do not feel compelled to reciprocate in kind. Often, a simple, heartfelt, thank you is all you need to give.
My happiness stems from being greatly loved and from sharing that love with others to the best of my ability. So, I'm not going to be bothered by the fact that you may believe differently than I do. I am not going to concentrate on the "wrapping" of the gift of this season, instead, I choose to focus on the gift itself, which is love, made flesh, in the form of a child who came to change the world. So, Happy Holidays! Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! And may joy, peace, and most of all love surround you this season!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16
And I love how the message words this passage:
"This is how much God loved the world; He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go through all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help put the world right again." John 3:16 the Message
