When Christmas Feels Broken Part 2

A couple of weeks ago I wrote When Christmas Feels Broken.

After I wrote this post, my own Christmas started to feel a bit broken but I didn’t really know why. I know I was more stressed about the things I typically love.

Then last week I took my car in to get serviced and stopped at Scheels to pick up a couple of gift cards. The store was so full of people rushing around, trying to find that last minute gift, rounding up their families, looking for an open register to check out…I stopped for a moment and caught a glimpse of the materialism. I felt it!

A bit later I was looking for a parking space. I spotted one right up close so I pulled into that row and waited to turn in as I saw a car coming down the row. When that person got to where I was, she stopped. I wondered why because she didn’t need to wait for me. Clearly she could see that I was waiting to park. But then I thought maybe she wanted that spot so I motioned to her asking if she wanted it. She seemed quite disturbed and angry. I didn’t understand. I again offered and she got even more outraged and threw her hands in the air.

I guess I wanted to be kind and generous and let her have the spot rather than assume it was mine. She was getting more agitated so I took the spot and politely smiled at her.

Today I was running some errands in town and stopped in at a business. The lady who helped me, I had not met before. Making conversation, I asked if she was ready for Christmas. She hesitated a with her head tipped down, she said she had not really started anything yet. Because of how she responded so transparently, I said, “Oh no. Because you are not feeling it or just have not had time?”

She went on to say she was not really feeling it and how her father had passed away this year and things feel different. Her kids have other places to be so they won’t be together at Christmas, etc. I empathized with her and we continued to talk for awhile.

Then a store clerk at another location asked me if I was ready and I said, “I think so accept for some food prep. Laughing I said, “I can say I am tired of lists and buying groceries!” How about you?”We went on to have a very similar conversation as my previous one.

I think God had a plan for these encounters today. For me for sure and possible for them as well.

After my moment at Scheels and my Pastor Paul’s sermon on Sunday as part of his series, Prepare Him Room, and my encounters today, I was able to connect the dots for myself. I too had fallen into the busyness which became stress and was stealing my joy! I didn’t like it! I became aware that I had fallen into the trap. I was losing sight once again as we so easily do, as to what really matters. How does this happen when we know better?!

No matter what our circumstances are, we will not find our joy in the busyness, the gifts, the food, the baking, the shopping, the Christmas movies….Wait what?!! Not even shopping and Christmas movies?!

We will all go through circumstances in our lives that can make holidays more difficult. I don’t want to minimize the life changes or loss that brings hurt and grieving especially this time of year.

But to encourage you, I want to suggest that you take some time to slow down and remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. We may need to take time each year to remind ourselves to keep our focus where it should be. Seriously!!!

We have been given the Greatest Gift ever! The birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus! Without Jesus none of the rest of this would matter. When you take time to acknowledge this, spend time with Him; your joy will come back and you will be able to find joy in the simplicity, not the busyness and stress. Joy in celebrating; time with family and friends.

Prepare Him Room! This Christmas and always. Be grateful for this gift! Let His love fill you. Let His love flow from you onto others. Show compassion for those who are struggling and give them encouragement. Remind them of this gift….Share about the birth and love of our Savior to those who need to hear!

Christmas Joy and Blessings to you all!

~Luke 2:11~

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord”