Maybe We're Not Supposed To Feel It's Christmas

There's no doubt about it, I'm crazy for Christmas. If you've seen Elf (who hasn't?), I'm the embodiment of Buddy. I'm the big, tall, overaged nutty person going around life-size reindeer displays, goofing around with my twin. I'm the one shamelessly taking selfies behind giant, over-decorated, fake pine trees at the mall. I'm the one playing Christmas jazz instrumentals in August. I like the warm, fuzzy feeling it brings as I recall my best holiday celebrations throughout my childhood... well, for the most part, because this year, maybe what they've said is true:
Christmas is ultimately for kids. In my 26-year-old eyes, the magic has waned.

I've been asking friends how's their holiday spirit, and most of them sigh with exhaustion, telling me they aren't feeling it. Too busy. Too stressful. Too costly.

I won't deny that I feel the same way. Looking back, this has got to be my most anti-social Christmas to date, skipping most of the parties and gatherings I've been invited to. It's not like I planned it. Transportation has become increasingly difficult as traffic moved from slow to slowest, fare prices skyrocketing to P500 one-way a 3-kilometer destination, and the pressure to shop for presents has been dreadful and internally catastrophic. I guess you can say at one point, I've stopped trying.

I've been praying to finish strong this year, since this mood has been getting the best of me. It's like I'm just mindlessly doodling on the last few pages of my book, purposelessly consuming pages, waiting for the clock to strike 12 on January first so I can shut its covers and get a new one to write on. I've become lazy. It's been a battle.

But in the midst of the emotional and mental struggle, I found one thing to be true, one thing strong enough to hold onto when the hustle and bustle of the season seems more daunting than fulfilling:

CHRISTMAS WILL NOT LOSE THE STRENGTH OF ITS POWER AND THE DEPTH OF ITS MEANING BECAUSE OF HOW I FEEL TOWARDS IT.

🌟Christmas is God's glory demonstrated, as He chose to come down to earth as a humble man. ~Matthew 2:1-12~
🌟Christmas is God's redemptive story at play. ~John 1:14~
🌟Christmas is God's love in action. ~John 3:16~
🌟Christmas is God's promises fulfilled. ~Isaiah 7:14~
🌟Christmas is humanity's second chance at beating eternal death. ~Galatians 4:4,5~

I like how John Piper puts it:

"[...] unto us — a people of darkness who hated God enough to kill him if we had the chance — a Savior was born."

As my wretched, attention-seeking, selfish flesh drags Christmas to the gutter to make it about me, my feelings, and my desires, God rightfully puts the spotlight back to Him, the One whose love isn't seasonal, and whose gift of joy isn't expensive. I'm reminded that emotions are fleeting and ever-changing—never a compass of truth—but the Gospel story is enough to bring me down to my knees and thank a heavenly Father for sending His only Son down to save me.

Maybe it's true. The manufactured, gift-centric, excessive feasting type of Christmas is mostly appealing to kids. But even as an adult, the true heart of Christmas must be enough to make me shout for joy and sing to the Heavens... even when I don't feel like it.

May you bask in delight as we celebrate the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
—D