Christmas was a really big deal in my home growing up. My mom shopped for months in advance and my dad wrapped the packages with carefully creased corners and the perfect amount of tape. One year, we carried all our store-bought treasures to the gift-wrapping desk at the mall and paid teenagers minimum wage to wrap them up in fancy wrapping paper and shiny bows. My mom would blow the dust off of her apple cinnamon potpourri and burn the most recent Christmas scent, while my dad attached lights to every exterior surface he could find. Don’t even get me started on how the tinsel had to be put on the tree one strand at a time, the strings of garland had to be perfectly spaced, or how the tree, a live one of course, had to be situated in front of the biggest window in order to be properly appreciated by every passerby. So much effort went into it, and they loved every minute of it. Together, my parents rivaled any team of elves the North Pole could possibly have to offer. Christmas was positively magical.
Kudos, Mom and Dad.
Like most families, over the years we experienced our share of life’s variables. There were seasons of financial plenty, which resulted in stacks of beautiful gifts all around the tree. I vividly remember receiving the latest game systems, jewelry, and name brand clothing. I’ll never forget the one year we went out and bought a second tree because my parents needed more room for presents.
That Christmas
One Christmas, however, stands out in my mind. I don’t know if I truly recall it or if I’ve just seen the photos so many times that they feel like memories. It was the year my dad broke his neck and was unable to work. I still remember the gifts from that particular Christmas. My dad got a wallet and my mom a pair of leg warmers — because nothing screams the 80s like leg warmers. My brother was thrilled to receive a magic set complete with a glass of milk that mysteriously emptied but never spilled. My gift was a gigantic blue teddy bear that I proceeded to sleep with for more years than I would care to admit. I can only imagine, knowing my parents as I do and having the wisdom that comes with age, the stress of that Christmas for two people who worked so hard every year to create absolute wonder for me and my brother. I asked my mom once what it was about Christmas that she loved so much. I must admit that I thought she would say the decorations, the music, or the shopping. Mom responded, “I love celebrating Christ.” My mother understood the meaning of Christmas.
The First Christmas
I get a little emotional when I think of the first Christmas and imagine the shepherds in the fields just doing what shepherds do. I envision how God just showed up in the midst of their ordinary faithfulness with an announcement that would change everything for all of eternity. The King of Glory had come down and His arrival wasn’t proclaimed in the courts of the wealthy but instead in the fields of the faithful.
The message wasn’t delivered to the ones with high profiles but to the ones with lowly hearts. The angel didn’t appear to the famous but to the faithful. There were no beautifully decorated trees or perfectly packaged presents. It wasn’t about lights, parades, or the annual viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life. No one had time to prepare the macaroni salad or chocolate pie. That first Christmas was all about celebrating Christ, and every Christmas forever after will always be about celebrating Christ.
Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
—Luke 2:11
Born for you. Don’t you love that? This Savior. This Christ. He’s a gift. He’s for you and for me just like He was for the shepherds in the fields long ago. Whatever else the world has made Christmas over the years, it was only ever about Him. God gave the ultimate gift when He gave His Son. He was the gift we all needed and didn’t know it. He was the perfect gift for every person. My parents created a sense of beauty and extravagant love each year because they understood that it was all in celebration of Jesus. They found joy in the traditions because they didn’t worship them. As long as we always make Christmas about celebrating Christ, it will always be a season of good news and great joy.
Grown-Up Christmas
I’ll be the first to admit that, as an adult, my heart hasn’t always been devoted to celebrating Christ. I’ve been consumed with attempting to carry on for my children what my parents did for me. Trying to mimic all the traditions, however, resulted in chaos instead of calm within my heart. I don’t have my mother’s knack for decorating, and the result of my attempts looks a lot like a Christmas store had a going out of business sale and I just bought it all and placed it randomly around my home.
I don’t find joy in wrapping presents like my dad, so, to this day, he still wraps all of my children’s gifts for me. I’ve felt distressed over those who are no longer around to celebrate with me. There were years when I was so worried about getting everyone the appropriate amount of gifts that I secretly yearned for the whole season to finally be over. I bemoaned to my mother and asked how she possibly enjoyed all of those things year after year. It was because, while she took pleasure in all of the traditions and trappings of the holiday, the holiday was never about any of it. It was always and only about Christ. We rob ourselves of the good news and great joy when we make it about anything else.
This Christmas
This year, let’s keep the main thing the main thing. Here’s what happens when we refocus our hearts during the holidays: Christmas can’t be spoiled because nothing changes the fact that Christ came. Is money a little scarce and you can’t buy everything you had hoped to buy for your friends and family? Christ still came. Did you promise your child that “must have” item only to find out that all of the stores are sold out? Well, you’re going to need a backup plan, but Christ still came. Is there an empty chair at the table due to death, divorce, or distance? Christ still came. Did you think your life would look differently? Perhaps you thought you would have a spouse or a child at this point? Christ still came. Are you dealing with loss or loneliness? Disappointment or discouragement? Weariness or wayward children? Guess what — Christ still came. In those moments when we wonder how we can have any peace and joy at all in our current circumstances, that’s when we need to celebrate Christ the most.
If this year finds you in a difficult place without the desire or ability to conjure up any Hallmark style Christmas magic, just remember, it was never about that anyway. Just celebrate Christ because He has come for you.
ABOUT STACY EDWARDS
Stacy Edwards is a pastor’s wife, a trucker’s daughter, and a mom to five beautiful daughters. Her passions are equipping others to study Scripture for themselves, Bible journaling, foster care, and running. She is the author of Devotions from the Front Porch, Devotions for Christmas, Devotions for Easter, Devotions from the Kitchen Table, Devotions for the Fall, 100 Favorite Hymns, and 100 Favorite Bible Prayers.
This article originally appeared in the December 2023 issue of HomeLife Magazine.