Christmas Spirit

For me, feeling “Christmassy” is a combination of happiness, surprise, awe, and love. It is an emotion, but it is not a state of being. I needed to remember that point.

At a few weeks before Christmas, despite being in the season of Advent, I lacked the Christmas Spirit, and was somewhat disappointed in myself. The days didn’t feel any different or special. I did not become Scrooge or the Grinch, more like I was stuck in neutral.

This was not a result of holiday stress or the pressure to meet expectations. I had not set any expectations. I will admit that the demands of work and everyday chaos have played a role. I half joked with my work colleagues that my customers had drained me of any spirit. I also wondered if society’s waning belief in Jesus as well as divisive nature was diluting the good vibes of my Christmas Season.

How do I create Christmas Spirit when the Holiday this year looks like nothing I have ever experienced? We are still in our rental townhouse and although we have some lights and decorations, it is not at my accustomed level. In storage, we have several boxes of decorations and ornaments that carry special meaning. At our house being renovated we have set up our traditional reindeer nativity scene, mainly for the benefit of our new neighbors. I can’t even say that I have gotten lost in the commercialization of Christmas.

As I was writing this blog, the Christmas song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ came on and I realized what was missing – there were no kids jingle belling, or anyone telling me to be of good cheer, or gay happy meetings, only a few friends could come to call, no parties for hosting or marshmallows for toasting. I pictured Andy Williams singing wearing one of his gaudy sweaters and realize my ugly sweaters were packed away.

A step that started me in the right direction has been playing Christmas music, a lot! I even recreated my iTunes Christmas playlist onto Spotify at my daughter’s request. That task immersed me in Christmas music and lit a few embers. I know that watching, or maybe even attending, Midnight Mass will make a difference. I am certain that picking up my daughters and mother at the airport to spend the holiday with us will create a surge in Christmas Spirit; “hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near.”

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others” – Bob Hope

It is important to remember that even though Christmas may not feel the same this year, I must be intentional and be proactive. I must find the connection to my community of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, etc. and make it if isn’t there to be found. It is a ‘Merry Christmas’ and not just a ‘Happy Christmas.’ Both happy and merry can mean “characterized by pleasure, joyous.” But happy tends toward quiet contentment and merry toward revelry. Making merry includes festive activities.  As my Father always told me, my job as a Dad is to make memories. Memories come from experiences.

Who knows, maybe this Christmas will be one of new traditions to inspire and bring an even deeper spiritual renewal. I can hold loosely onto some old traditions and let others go. However, I need to be ready to embrace what lies ahead in new traditions like, attending an Advent Small Group study at our new church, visiting Bush Gardens Christmas Town with its lights and festive environment where my heart was stirred by a five-year-old girl belting out the words to ‘Hark The Herald Angles Sing’ on the park’s train ride, and walking around Colonial Williamsburg with its holiday decorations.

I came to realize that my malaise had nothing to do with Christmas Spirit but was being out of alignment with the sacred inspiration cherished during the holiday season. Scripture has no written clause “thou must have a Christmas Spirit.” I want to celebrate Christ’s birth in the right mindset. To cut away the distractions of the season and open my heart to the hope Jesus brings to the world. I must align with what is sacred and focus on the Christ-child coming into our world that is broken and in desperate need. Center myself on the reason for the season.

The stillness of my Advent season has actually provided the environment to be anchored with a focus that brings inner peace. I am letting Him bring me “good tidings of comfort and great joy.” Allowing Him to remind me that unto us a child was born, a Savior, and He is Christ the Lord. The Christmas spirit is fleeting, but His promises endure forever. That is the state of being I am clinging to this Christmas.

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