Rush of Christmas

Too often we find the rush of Christmas instead of the peace of Christmas. It seems like so many things grab our time making it difficult to find the peace of Christmas. And in that Christmas rush, not only do we miss the peace of Christmas, but we also may neglect time to dwell on the truth of Christmas.

Christmas Lists and the Rush of Christmas

As children we all made Christmas lists of gifts we wanted. As adults, we make a different kind of Christmas list. Our adult Christmas list contains the stuff we need to do before Christmas. This list sits in our minds and fills our days but it doesn’t help us experience much of the peace of Christmas.

I know this is true in my own life. Each year I get visions of spending peaceful and happy moments with my family. I get visions of watching Christmas specials with my kids, walking through snow-covered Christmas lights, making cookies, and visiting family and friends. Every year I think, this year I’ll have a relaxing and peaceful Christmas season.

Unfortunately, in reality, it doesn’t happen that way. Every year the rush of Christmas takes over and life gets crazy. I may watch two Christmas specials with my kids, take one car ride to see Christmas lights, and visit with about half the people I wanted to.

Focusing on the Truth of Christmas

Focusing on the truth of Christmas instead of on the rush of Christmas would help us better experience the peace of Christmas. The truth of Christmas is that the God of the universe chose to become a human baby. He came to earth to live a life of service and to point people to the truth, which ultimately embodied in Him. Finally, He came to die for our sinful, wrongful deeds giving us a way to heavenly salvation.

When we focus on the truth of Christmas, we don’t have to wait until December 24 to read the Christmas story. Why not read it at the beginning of the Christmas season? We can start on the day after Thanksgiving. Instead of going early morning Christmas shopping on Black Friday, plan to spend that time in a quiet place reading some Bible verses on the truth of Christmas.

A Christmas Reading List

In addition to our Christmas to-do list, we can make a Christmas reading list. It’s easy to create one by going online and searching a phrase like “Bible passages for Christmas.” That should bring up plenty of websites listing Bible passages that point to Christmas. Write those passages down and look at them throughout the season.

Some great passages to add to your Christmas reading list include the following:

• Luke 1-2,
• Matthew 1:18-2:23,
• Isaiah 9:6-7 and 53,
• John 1, and
• Many others.

Or instead of making your own list, you can use an advent calendar with scripture readings.

Another great way to experience the truth of Christmas is to read through the great Christmas hymns. Many of these hymns, such as “Come Now Long Expected Jesus” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” contain deep spiritual truths on the meaning of Christmas.

So go ahead and make your annual Christmas list but be sure to include plenty of time to focus on the meaning of Christmas. And when that list is all written down, look at it and cross off many of the things that don’t really matter.

Hopefully this year, you’ll experience more of the peace of Christmas and less of the rush of Christmas.