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Hope for the Holidays

By Lori O’Dea

Dr. Lori O’Dea is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Her ministry dictates a hectic schedule that is not exactly conducive to sitting back and enjoying the holidays. In her own humorous way, Lori shares a few of the thoughts that help her keep her sanity during the holiday season.

My favorite stores began to display Christmas decorations in August. It was mid-October before I put away my Fourth of July decorations. To say that I have a difficult time keeping up with the holidays would be an understatement. I used to be in sync with the major holiday shopping season, climbing out of bed on the day after Thanksgiving at some truly unthinkable hour to hit the year’s greatest sales. Now those same sales begin the day after Halloween, and I feel terribly tardy.

In the next few weeks you will likely spend more time shopping than you have in the previous eleven months; you will use recipes for items you never eat any other time of the year; you will become a mechanical engineer skilled in the assembly of small toys; and you will battle stress, guilt, financial anxiety, and the bathroom scale with a vengeance— all while trying to keep a gracious ministry presence, not to mention a grateful heart and remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season. These are harsh realities. I’d like to soften the blow with some precautions that will bring you hope for the holidays.

Be a Smart Shopper

While you stand in the aisle debating which Christmas candy to buy for your guests or which color of sweater to purchase for your Aunt Nellie, precious moments of your life are wasting away! Go ahead and buy the candy you like! If you are not sure which color the gift recipient prefers, get the one you enjoy. If weather prevents your guests from showing or some other disaster strikes, you will be stuck with something you like. Christmas gift shopping and holiday grocery shopping can overwhelm your decision-making abilities. Determine now that you will choose wisely, just as Christ did when he chose you.

Remember Gift Wrap Comes in Many Colors

Wal-Mart turquoise used to be one of my favorites; Kohl’s gray still is! Okay, so you may not consider the shopping bag appropriate attire for your carefully chosen gift. However, you can save yourself a lot of trouble by not having to color coordinate your gifts with your home décor or the color palette of the recipient! Gift wrap or brown paper bag—the outer wrapping is not more important than the gift. The lesson ought to be internalized. Today’s makeover television shows and looks-infatuated magazines send another message. But you cannot deny that the inside counts more than the outside. God looks on the heart.

Wear the Big Jeans

I hardly think this needs explanation, but for the sake of you size twos, I’ll do it anyway. Holiday meals were cooked to be eaten. At some level, holidays are not about fashion; they are about sanctified gluttony. Therefore, adopt a utilitarian attitude toward every holiday event. Ask not what glitters in your closet, rather ask what pants your closet harbors that will easily accommodate you and a complete turkey dinner! Then carry the utilitarian attitude beyond your plate. Ask yourself how you can use the holidays not just to express love for your family, but how can you express the love of Jesus to your family.

Give What You’ve Got to Give

People come into the holiday season from an infinite number of entry points. While many enjoy the traditions, some are dealing with fresh grief, others are financially strapped, and not a few battle depression. Understand that it is perfectly all right to give what you’ve got to give. If you do not have the emotional reserves to put up a tree this year, then scale back on the decorations. And by all means, do not go into debt just to supply the requisite basket of gifts for every family member, friend, neighbor, and their dog! Instead give what you’ve got to give. Observe the rules of re-gifting (no used items, no half-eaten boxes of chocolate, or returning the gift to the giver). Pass along gifts with which you are willing to part. Best of all, re-gift Jesus. He was meant to be shared, and you won’t lose Him in the process!

How WOULD Jesus Handle the Holidays?

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s may seem far removed from the New Testament holidays, but there are many similarities. Jesus handled busy times in ways that will help us to enjoy and celebrate them without abandoning Him. Observe these practices:

• Focus. Jesus, even as a 12-year-old boy, had an uncanny way of focusing on his Father’s will in the midst of a major observance. Don’t let the schedule of the holidays distract your single-minded worship of the Lord.

• Celebration. At the wedding in Cana, Jesus’ participation is noted just as often as His first miracle. Your presence—meaningful participation in gatherings of family and friends—is far more important than any presents you will provide.

• Invitation. In the middle of a great festival, Jesus stood in the midst of the Temple crowd and invited all who were thirsty to receive the Living Water. In that captivating moment, Jesus demonstrated the power of an invitation. Be sure to extend an invitation to someone who needs to know Jesus—whether it be for dinner with your family, a special Christmas event, or a chance to worship.

• Service. On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus observed the holy day of Passover with His disciples. In perhaps the most poignant moment of that gathering, Jesus knelt and washed their feet. Be sure to include service to others in your holiday happenings. Humility in service to others provides startling moments of clarity, purpose, and gratitude.

With these simple tips, and more importantly, Jesus’ own example, we can experience a holiday season buoyed by hope. Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

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