It is 11:30 pm, I am as awake as if I had just drank 3 cups of coffee (I didn't) and I'm thinking about this upcoming Christmas, 2011 that is. (Forgive me for my blabbing, but I needed to get it written)
Honestly, what got me thinking about this, was this blog post about Christmastime. Ann is the author of One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, which looks like an excellent read, just read the reviews on the Amazon site.
Obviously there is great joy and celebration each and every Christmas, but as Christmas ends I am struck with the reality how I usually think to myself, I wish this Christmas would have been different. I wish I would have taken more heart and soul, time and energy to focus time and attention on Christ, the incarnation, Why He came and that IT IS ALL ABOUT JESUS. It is always about Jesus, but especially Christmas.
Have you ever had that sick taste in your mouth, thinking...this Day is too commercialized, all about self, and I just meander with the tide of culture and we'll tack on some Christian 'stuff', but really it isn't THAT different from the way everyone celebrates, and that there is a lot in my life/family that weighs me down from truly celebrating Christ as He deserves?
As a husband and dad, I want to set some priorities for my family and have our heart set upon Christ in great and grand ways, and in the everyday aspects of life.
Children are REALLY smart and the patterns that are set now will continue unless there is a conscious decision for change to occur. Why is that the most referenced sentences on and around Christmastime are...'is that for me, where is my next present, are there more to open, I want that, etc. etc. etc.'
You might be saying to yourself...'Dustin, relax, they are just kids'. I know they are just kids and that is partly what scares me the most. These are patterns, habits, priorities that I see in MY 3 and 4 year old and I play a huge role in these attitudes occurring or lovingly addressed.
'But Dustin, they are selfish and sinful, this is normal.' Is that supposed to be some source of encouragement? This causes me to weep and pray and beg God work the miracle of salvation in their souls and to provide for them a father who is selfless and living with remarkable clarity that Jesus is his greatest Treasure...and Jesus radically changed HOW, WHAT and WHY we celebrate Christmas.
Questions I am and will be asking myself regarding this upcoming Christmas. I don't know the answers to them, I am just beginning to pray about this and think through it?
1) Is it honor the Lord and edify one another the way we (Dustin and the family he leads) give and get presents for one another?
2) What are some practical ways I can lead my family in a joyous celebration each day of December leading up to Christmas?
3) Should we even exchange presents?
4) It is of great joy to give, love, and serve...what ways and to whom can we do that WITH NO EXPECTATION of return.
5)What can I do to lead my family's heart to treasure Jesus above Buzz Lightyear, Dolls, Cars and Trucks?
6) Hebrews 12:1-2 commands us to RUN, to throw off sin and the encumbrances that hinder us, keep us from running the race set before us. I will be meditating upon these verses more in terms of what our Christmas time, traditions and priorities will be this upcoming year and thereafter.
How is Christmas going to be different in 2011 for the Greenup family? I don't know exactly yet...I just know it is going to be very different, radically different, uncomfortably different...but more Joyous than ever before, for our hearts will be growingly fixed upon our Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Redeemer and Savior!
The ways you celebrate Christ at Christmas are completely welcome...I'd love to hear them.
Are you familiar with the Advent Conspiracy (http://www.adventconspiracy.org/)? This has been really encouraging to us. As a local body, our church focuses on giving relational gifts to each other (as Christ gave Himself as the ultimate gift), which frees all of that money for more worthy things.
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