Its Christmas time and that means one thing, it is the season to lose one’s mind! Okay, maybe that was a little too dramatic, but it seems as if Christmas makes people just a little crazier than normal. People like me who don’t enjoy decorating will spend hours decorating, why? Because it is Christmas. People who like to decorate, go nuts and turn their homes into a winter wonderland, why? Because it is Christmas. People, who like to spend, spend even more. People, who like to eat, eat even more. People, who feel stressed, feel even more stress. People, who feel lonely, feel even lonelier. WHY? Because it’s Christmas. Please don’t blame Christmas.
It’s not Christmas’ fault we get this way; in fact the fault is ours. Christmas simply magnifies who we already are. If you are a thankful and joyful person most of the year, then at Christmas you will probably be even more thankful and even more joyful. If you are a negative scrooge most of the year, then you will be even more of one at Christmas. If you are down and lonely most of the year, it will be at Christmas time that your struggles will be magnified. So to all of you who are struggling, don’t blame Christmas and definitely don’t treat it like it’s the answer to your problems (that will only cause more depression and binge eating in January).
The answer to our struggles is not Christmas, but Christ. He is the savior after all. The gifts of mercy, grace, love, salvation, renewal, second chances, and spiritual strength are offered year round through our Lord Jesus Christ. If you read John 15, you will see that a branch disconnected from the tree will wither, struggle, and die. If we are disconnected from Jesus, we too will wither, struggle, and die. However, if we connect with Jesus, we will become like branches that are strong and fruitful. Through Christ we will find the strength to overcome our weaknesses and struggles. His Spirit will grow fruit in our lives each day we focus with gratitude on the saving work He did on the cross. If you are lonely, the Spirit of God can empower you to encourage others who are lonely, so that together through Christ you won’t be. If you are stressed, through His Spirit we find a peace and comfort that no holiday can provide. Okay, I could go on, hopefully you get the idea. Next time you look at a Christmas tree, look at its strong base and its long wiry branches with heavy ornaments hanging on them. The reason they stay up is because they are firmly connected to the tree. No matter what season we are in, if you want strength and peace; if you want that, then connect to the vine (Jesus) and watch and see what kind of fruit will grow in your life.
Merry Christmas!
-Vic
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15: 4-5NIV
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