Are you stressed about Christmas yet? Are you weary of the whole experience? It would appear that you are not alone. You are probably stressed if you’re not ready for Christmas. You’re probably weary if you are ready.
I have a favourite Christmas decoration showing a woman with
an armful of wrapped gifts, her hair standing up and a look of pure frustrated
emotion on her face. The caption – the ghost
of Christmas stressed. I have a feeling that there are a number of you that can
relate to that ornament.
The stress comes from trying to figure out all of the things
you have to deal with this season. What should I get the kids for Christmas?
What about my spouse? Brothers/sisters, parents, visitors, friends? Would Bob really like or ever wear that
Christmas sweater? Should I get my wife a new crockpot? And the list goes on.
And then there is entertaining. It’s your turn this year to
host dinner on Christmas day. At you
sister’s house last year, she put on a great celebration; lots of good food,
nice gifts for everyone, and the right wine.
Am I supposed to equal that, or even do better? We want to make the best
Christmas ever.
Just thinking about this makes you stressed and weary. And Christmas is only three weeks away.
Wife, “Have you done your Christmas shopping yet?”
Husband, in a panic, “Why? Is it Christmas Eve already?”
I know, I’ve used that before. But it does reflect what a
number of people go through, particularly men. (Confession, I’ve been guilty of
that myself. Thank goodness for the friendly jewelry store.)
The questions you have to ponder. When should I start my
Christmas shopping? How many should I invite for dinner? How can I keep Cousin
Jack from getting drunk? And so many more.
How about this for a question, Where does the celebration of
Jesus’ birth fit in?
You aim for the greatest Christmas. Or was it last year’s? Or when you were eight
years old? Wrong on all counts.
The greatest Christmas came over two thousand years ago when
a baby was born in a manger in Bethlehem in Judea.
