How to Really Enjoy This Christmas

Ever since I can remember, Christmas has always come and gone in such a flash that I can’t remember where it all went. Obviously, when we are children, it is all about the gifts and Santa. As we grow older, it becomes about commitments, where we have to be on what day at whatever time with whoevers family, checklists of to do’s and gifts to buy, cleaning and decorating and making sure everything is perfect. With all of the hustle and bustle, I think from a very early age most of us get caught up and carried away. Sadly, a lot of people never get back to what this season is all about.


When my brother and I were children, my family had alittle tradition that I always loved and was so special. Christmas Eve, after we had gotten home from a day of gifts and fun, we would have out baths, put on our new Christmas pajamas and gather in the family room by the Christmas tree so that my dad could read us the Christmas story from Luke 2. Amidst all of the madness that has become “Christmas”, this time always served as a beautiful, precious emphasis- reminding us what this season is really all about. When I got married and moved out, sadly, this tradition kind of got discontinued. For the past several years I have found myself not really enjoying “Christmas” at all- because of what it has become and how I have fallen into the mix.

This year, I wanted to focus on what and WHO this season is about, and that is the birth of a King. Not just any King, but the One to whom it is written,

“the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” Matthew 1:20-21

Back at the beginning of December, I read a post from Ann Voskamp that changed everything about Christmas for me. Her son asks her a stirring question that turned everything about how I have looked at Christmas in the past upside down. He asks, “What does Jesus get for His birthday?”


Wow. What has He gotten from me I ask myself?

- A long list of “I wants”

- A bad attitude for being pulled in what feels like 1,000 different directions

- A sense of lets hurry up and get this over with so we can go on to the next thing

- Very little attention to family- mainly whats going on now and whats coming next

- A whisper of a thank you prayer to God for Him- and on to the next thing

Get the picture? It’s horrifying and no wonder there has been very little joy. Ann’s message was burned into my heart, along with God’s about how we are to treat the poor. I know it seems like 2 totally different messages, but really it has become 1 for me.


The joy in Christmas is giving, because He gave. The joy in Christmas comes from all focuses and attention on Him, because He is all we need.All of a sudden that list of “I wants” has turned to absolutely nothing. I have everything I could ever need or want in Him. My heart’s cry has become who can I give to? Who needs Jesus love through me? Lord, give me eyes to see and a discerning Spirit from YOU!

To kind of wrap this up, I wanted to list some new things I have done this year in observing advent, and just keeping my focus on Him. It’s truly been life changing.


This Book

Stories from HERE

Messages from Him

Each has been enriching in its own way, but there is absolutely no replacement for the Word of God. Get in the Word. Stay in the Word. Understand and appreciate the true meaning of Christmas.