Remembering the Reason for the Season

As Christmas gets closer, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season. Between shopping for gifts, going to holiday parties, and decorating our homes, the days can become a blur. These events can be fun, but they can also leave us feeling exhausted and disconnected from the true meaning of Christmas. Let’s try to remember why we celebrate this season.

Christmas is a celebration of God’s greatest gift to us. The story of Christmas is about hope, love, and redemption. Over 2,000 years ago, in a humble stable in Bethlehem, God chose to join our world as a baby. This act of love reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and that we have a Savior who understands our pain and gives us eternal hope.

Refocusing on Christ

In the chaos of our lives, how can we keep Christ at the center of our celebrations?

1.  Start Your Day with Scripture: Begin your day by reading the story of Jesus’ birth in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Imagine the joy it brought to those who recognized Him! Sharing scripture with your family and friends can spark conversations and deepen your understanding of God’s love.

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2.  Rethink Your Traditions: Which holiday traditions bring you closer to God and your loved ones? If certain activities feel more like obligations than blessings, it’s okay to let them go. Make space on your calendar for prayer, reflection, and rest.

3.  Give with Purpose: Most of us like giving generous gifts to our friends and loved ones, right?  We can get carried away, though. Remember that giving doesn’t always mean buying extravagant gifts. Acts of kindness, such as volunteering at a local shelter or writing a heartfelt letter, can embody the love of Christ and remind us of the joy in giving.

Managing the Busyness

I think most of us have felt the pressure to meet expectations, whether our own or others’. It’s important to give ourselves grace and remember that perfection is not the goal. Jesus’ birth was about simplicity and humility, not extravagance.

When we realize we’re trying too hard, remember these words from Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The peace we seek is not found in perfectly wrapped gifts or sparkling decorations but in Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

I hope you choose to slow down and think about the miracle of Christ’s birth, and share His love with those around you. 

Let the reason for the season guide your heart and actions, filling your celebrations with meaning and joy.

God bless,

Dr. Deepa

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!”

Luke 2:8-14