I   have always loved the Christmas season.

The lights, the decorated tree, the presents, the music, the food and cookies. I love it all.

For me, December always signals a time of excitement and happiness as time honored traditions bring the family together to bake cookies, trim the tree, and watch holiday films such as "It's a Wonderful Life" or "A Christmas Story".

All of these things are beautiful, fun, and lovely but have you ever had that feeling of disappointment or let down because the celebration of Christmas didn't match your expectation?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by making sure every person in your life receives the perfect gift (even if you don't have the money to buy them?). Are you running from party to party or feeling the pressure to have the most beautiful decorations? Maybe you find it more difficult to engage your family in the traditions of Christmas or find yourself alone and left out of what the world is doing around you.

When it's all said and done, it can sometimes seem that the holiday season is actually devoid of the peace, love, and family togetherness which television programs, commercials, and magazines declare we should all be experiencing throughout the "yule-tide" season. 

I know I've experienced this more than once in my life.

What I have discovered over the years, is that while the secular traditions of the December holiday season are fun there is very little depth in any of them. There is, however, a very important part of the Christian focus of this December celebration which makes Christmas much more meaningful than any sparkling tree or beautiful light display.

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 1:1-14 (NIV)

I believe what truly brings beauty, meaning, and depth into Christmas celebrations is remembering and honoring the birth of Jesus. Reading from scripture, singing songs of thanksgiving and praise (Christmas carols which focus on the gift of the Messiah), prayer and devotions which linger on the promised messiah which Jesus' birth fulfilled, giving to others (especially those in need). While we do these things every day of the year (or should), it is beneficial to put particular emphasis on the miracle that God Himself entered our world in the form of a tiny baby so He could live among us and save us from our sin. 

Celebrating the birth of Jesus is the primary focus of the December season for a Christian and I think it's very important to keep that in the forefront of all we do so we are not caught up in the increasing hustle and bustle of the secular (commercial) traditions which are so prominently focused upon this time of year.

How about you?

Do you feel the "pressure to perform" during the month of December? Does the prospect of Christmas fill you with gratitude as you remember Jesus birth or do you end up more stressed than full of cheer?

What do you do to "keep Christ" throughout the Christmas holiday?

Every Thursday in December