Christmas is coming. “It’s practically here!” So sayeth the Grinch.

This past Sunday marked the beginning of Advent. That’s a word which means “coming,” referring to the coming of Christ. It’s the four-week period leading up to Christmas.

As December 25th draws near, so do many complicated feelings. Because of the pandemic, our celebrations have been anything but normal for the past few years. People are still generally fatigued. Nevertheless, many activities have ramped up. There can be an expectation that things should “go back to normal,” even though some people are not feeling normal, and even though others don’t think they should go back to normal, and even though others would prefer things be altogether different. 

It’s all very… complicated.

That’s why it’s okay to simplify Christmas.

There are expectations and expenses. There are stresses and messes. 

Sure, there are some commitments you’d probably like to get out of but should do anyway. After all, life with other people will always include some concessions and sacrifices. 

But consider one of the well-known Advent verses, Isaiah 9:2: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” It’s about the coming Messiah. But what if his light also helped us to see a bit more clearly this year? What if it enabled us to see past some clutter to the manger?

Are there a few things you can remove from your December calendar? 

Are there a few unrealistic expectations you can remove from your own shoulders?

“…on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

It’s okay to simplify Christmas.

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Notes:

–“Downward Mobility.” New sermon. November 27, 2022. Click here.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.