When It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas

The tree is decorated, the stockings are hung, and my family is on their way to a special Christmas event. But, due to sickness, I am not with them.

Perhaps, you’re in a similar situation—under the weather, a heavy burden, or deep sorrow. Is this one of those years when it doesn’t “feel” like Christmas?

It often begins with the unexpected.

Christmas Expectations

All of our children and grandchildren were planning on coming to our house to spend the night. If it wasn’t too cold, we’d do our traditional gathering around a manger in our barn and listen to my husband read Luke 2. We’d sing Christmas songs and pray together.

The next morning we’d be awakened, before sunrise, by giggling little ones, all in matching Christmas pajamas, excited by the colorful packages and just by being altogether in one house.

An aroma of sausage balls, cranberry coffee cake, ham biscuits, and coffee would fill the air.

We’d snug next to one another by the fireplace as we listened to a devotion before opening gifts. The day would unfold with sweet moments, sometimes loud and chaotic, maybe a little tired and cranky, but altogether wonderful. Lots of cookies, conversations, kisses.

This is what our family Christmas looks like, smells like, sounds like, feels like.

But, just as it is for so many of you, this year is different. Plans are not going as expected. As I sit here composing this blog post, it doesn’t feel like Christmas to me.

This makes me want to stop and ponder why. Maybe it’s a matter of the mind, body, and soul.

Mind

My mind bears a majority of the blame when I think things are less than what they should be. I have set expectations of how Christmas should be based on my past experiences or something I’ve seen in this world.

I’m a pretty flexible person who can adapt to different situations as they arise. But, then again, I also love traditions, especially Christmas traditions.

Do you have certain recipes you think are essential in order for the holidays to seem complete? Or, specific events, or perhaps even the order of events, are part of your traditions?

Some folks think gifts must have a certain theme each year or be wrapped in specific color-coordinating colors.

My gifts always vary, but this year I had bought numerous pans and ingredients. I was looking forward to baking and gifting coffee cakes this year and wrapping them with some beautiful ribbon I’d found. But, sickness suddenly arrived before the baking could even begin.

Sugarplum visions develop in our minds. And, when they don’t materialize as we had planned, we allow ourselves to think Christmas is somehow less than it should be.

Body

We can blame the body for not cooperating with our Christmas plans. Quite often, it’s out of our control when our bodies suffer from diseases, disabilities, or exhaustion.

If we can remember past Christmases when physcalities were not an issue, then once again, the mind uses the failing body to make us feel Christmas is not quite up to par.

And, it’s not just our own bodies. Even though sickness has quarantined me from the festivities this year, I have some dear, sweet friends who feel isolated in a different way.

For many, a vast separation has occured between them and the ones they love. Whether that was through a move in life, or through death, the bodily presence of loved ones is greatly missed.

Sometimes, it doesn’t feel like Christmas when loved ones are not with us.

Soul

Ahhh. When I feel discouraged, bitter, or critical, I know my soul needs nourishment. I’ve found the best source is from the eternal springs of God’s Holy Word. His truths saturate and refresh the parched areas of my heart.

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and mind and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:15-24, ESV

I am reminded that the essence of Christmas is not based on my feelings or expectations. Lord, forgive me. May the God of peace himself sanctify [me] completely—my whole mind, body, and spirit, so that I may be blameless [as I celebrate the first coming and prepare for the second coming] of my Lord Jesus Christ.

When It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas, Be Still

In the midst of this silent night, God is using these unusually quiet moments to speak to my soul. It’s time to be still and listen.

My weak body comes humbly before the Creator of all things. I thank Him for every breath He gives. I praise Him for all the good and wonderful things He has done, and is doing. I thank Him for walking with me and working through me in the midst of challenges. I pray for the minds, bodies, and souls of others. I ask for healing, comfort, strength, wisdom, and peace.

The Holy Spirit reminds me again of God’s sovreignty, His mercy, and His perfect plan of everlasting love. A plan so magnificent our human minds can’t fathom it. That Jesus would humble Himself and come to us as a newborn baby. That He allowed a sinful world to taunt, torture, and kill Him even though He was without any sin, so that the ultimate price would be paid in full for our salvation. No one expected this to begin with a baby who was fully human and yet fully God.

I think about the unexpected changes Mary and Joseph experienced during their early years of betrothal and marriage. Nothing happened the way they originally thought it would.

The traditional sequence of events between a betrothal and a birth did not take place. But, Mary and Joseph trusted God and were obedient to His leading.

Yet, for one reason or another, others who observed the events of Jesus’ birth and life, did not feel like He was the Messiah. Therefore, they chose to reject Him.

Yet, others did yield and believed God’s words, “This is My Son, my Chosen One; listen to him” (Luke 9:35).

My Prayer for You

No matter what happens around us, or to us, we can trust God is using it for sanctification, for our good and His glory. If it’s issues with our minds and bodies, remember they are temporary. God keeps His promises. We can rest in His provision. His grace is sufficient. Our weary souls can trust in the reality of the living presence and power of Jesus Christ. We can rejoice as we expect His second coming.

I pray you all experience reminders of His perfect love, peace, and joy this Christmas.

A freelance writer, Sally Matheny’s writing is published in worldwide, national, regional, online and print publications

Sally focuses on the power of story, history, and His Story to tell the next generation wondrous things. Connect with her on various social media sites. But, if she’s not hanging out with family and friends, or engaging in an American history class, you’ll most often find her at SallyMatheny.com or Pinterest.