Christmas Grace
A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. Proverbs 11:17
Holidays, religious and otherwise, bring out the best in some of us and the worst in others. I have seen both but feel compelled to discuss the negative. It isn’t that anyone went out of their way to be rude or inconsiderate this year but over the few days that I paid attention to what was going on around me, or listened to stories about other families, things degenerated.
As always it started in parking lots and lines in the stores. Really? Are people going to lose that much time if they have to walk an extra 20 feet or stand in line an extra three minutes in order to be polite to someone else?
It is even worse when that bad attitude, started over a parking space, tints the view for the rest of the day – or season! I often wonder as Christians why we can’t just ask our Sovereign God what it is He is trying to test or teach us, and move on. Is God glorified by our parking lot behavior at Christmas – or any other time of year?
Then, there’s timing. If the invitation was for 4 PM – please don’t show up at 3 or at 5. Either your hosts are not ready for you or the food is cold and their plans ruined. Or, if you need to be early or late, please warn the host. It might be better to plan some visits for a different day than to try to squeeze so much into a day or two that you are not on time for anything.
Gift giving can also be an issue. If you can’t be a cheerful giver – it may be better not to give or to give less expensive gifts to avoid the dreaded credit card bills in January. 2 Corinthians tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. If this year was too much from a financial point of view, start now to talk about cutting back next year, to prepare people for something different. I know there are Moms and Dads out there who wish Grandma and Grandpa would honor their wishes about gifts for the children. Why is this so hard?
Tone of voice. Women seem to be especially taxed by holidays. Our patience gets worn thin, we are tired, and get a little cranky. It heightens when people are standing around “doing nothing” while we try to get everything wrapped, cooked, put away, and prepared – not that we ask for help! The crowds gather and we make comments that are too harsh and too loud aimed at those we love the most. Too much to do in too short a time does this to us – but it is really not a good excuse for such a response to one we love. Some don’t resort to this but give the silent treatment – which can have just as loud an effect as the screamer! Festive holidays lose the fun if one couple is in a silent war.
We was blessed this year with great gatherings on both sides of the family. Good times of conversation and fun, good food, and the joy of watching delighted children open presents and play the time away with their cousins. Christ’s birth was remembered and honored in prayer. We are blessed and we know it.
Sadly, I was unprepared this year. I left too much to the last minute and so I had to watch my own fuse in parking lots and retail stores. I had to remind myself that it was okay to take a little more time than I had allowed, it would all get done.
I had to think about others as I made plans and entertained and tried to keep up with ministry responsibilities at the same time. Though I had many impatient, and some unkind, thoughts as I was preparing I tried not to be rude to anyone, only by God’s grace reminding me of His grace to me. As He was forgiving to me, I am to forgive others. As He patiently waited for me to “get it” on numerous issues over the years so I am to be patient with others.
Our hearts are full of pride, fear, greed, and envy all year along. They become more apparent when we are pushed to the limits of sleep deprivation and time crunches. The scriptures say God’s grace is sufficient for us. Can we extend that same grace to others and keep the peace as we gather for our New Year’s celebrations? And our birthday celebrations? The 4th of July? And next Christmas?
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14