 Sentimental Season
Christmas is probably one of the most sentimental seasons. This time of year is filled with holiday traditions and family customs. These things build pathways in our brains and leave imprints on our hearts so that most folks are a little more emotional than usual. This can be both good and bad. Every one of us has, to some degree, a mix of positive and negative experiences and emotional triggers attached to the holidays. For this reason we sometimes do not understand why other people, even in the body of Christ, are more or less joyful than we are. But, our joy and hope are really not in the season. Rather, they are in the Son! Suppressed Sorrow Often, our sentimental feelings cause us to focus on external perfections to the point where we do not actually enjoy the fun, family, and festivities of the season. We can become burdened with holiday stress and expectations to the point that our heightened holiday sensitivity is a liability. This is probably the motivation behind the many exhortations that we receive to remember “the reason for the season” and other cliche, albeit true, encouragements. We know that for many this time of year is fraught with despair and depression. I believe that this portion of our year is so polarized because of the reality that the prince of peace has come. This means that those who have experienced that peace are reminded and celebratory. But those who have not experienced that peace are struggling to continue to suppress the reality of their sin and guilt before the one and only holy and righteous God (Romans 1:18). Joyful Hope However, it is also true that this time of year can bring out the joy in us. Even the pressure of our busy schedules can reveal the great joy that resides within us. Jesus told us that out of the abundance of the heart our mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). As we reflect on the incarnation, we should be filled with present peace because of the salvation and forgiveness that Jesus has secured for us (Romans 5:1-11). Also, we should be filled with hope and anticipation because of the promises of completed sanctification and final glorification which awaits every born again believer (Romans 8:12-30). Holiday Spirit As Christians the Apostle Peter says that we are to live with joy that is inexpressible and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8-9). I believe that the Lord would have us with jovial exuberance to enjoy all the bounty of our holiday traditions to the praise of His glorious grace. We are to do everything to His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). So we should see that our celebration and participation in the holiday trappings is a tangible way that we are experiencing the redemption of the world and the creation. Christ is King and so we are free to celebrate our King! The underlying motivation for our feast and festivities shouldn’t be holiday sentiment, but rather the Holy Spirit!
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