Why Do You Celebrate Christmas? Do You KNOW?

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During this the busiest time of the year I'm asking myself . . . Why do you celebrate Christmas Do you know Looking at the whys behind the business...

It’s December 4th and for most of us our Christmas preparations are in full swing.

The calendar is filling up and with it the panic is starting to set in. How am I going to get everything done in three weeks.

THREE WEEKS! Are you kidding me?

Stop. Before we hyperventilate let’s ask ourselves an important question…

Why do I celebrate Christmas?

Well..?

Of course you know I had to do a Google search to find out what others had to say about it. And I found:

Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th?
Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?
Why do we celebrate Christmas?
Is it wrong to celebrate Christmas?

I found it interesting that I didn’t see any personal answers. I’m not curious about why December 25th was chosen or whether someone else thinks celebrating the holiday is appropriate, I want to know the emotion behind the celebration.

Yes, I’m a Sanguine. I want to know the emotional reason behind everything.

But seriously, why do you invest so much in this time of the year. Why do you shop, bake, decorate, and celebrate?

Do you do it:

  • to impress your friends?
  • to make memories for your children and grandchildren?
  • to keep up with the neighbors?
  • because you enjoy it?
  • because it’s tradition?
  • because it’s expected?
  •  because everyone else celebrates?

In all the years I’ve celebrated Christmas I don’t believe I’ve ever asked myself . . . why?

Sure, I know it’s the celebration of Jesus’ birth, but does what I do really celebrate Him? I wonder—am I doing Christmas the way I do for Him or for me?

I don’t think Jesus cares if I decorate the perfect tree, throw the perfect party, in the perfect outfit, with the perfect presents for the perfect guests.

What if I want to give the perfect presents because I want to be appreciated more than because I love?

Tough questions aren’t they? I want to look way in past the surface activity to the why and that isn’t easy especially at this time of the year . . . when slowing down for even a minute is unthinkable.

But that’s what I’m going to do. Want to join me?

During this the busiest time of the year I'm asking myself . . . Why do you celebrate Christmas Do you know Looking at the whys behind the business..

My goal is to celebrate Christmas in ways that celebrate Jesus. Realizing that Jesus, born of a teenage mother in far less than a beautifully decorated setting, I don’t believe all the trappings we include are important to Him. So what is..?

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus… What is important is faith expressing itself in love. Galatians 5:6

Faith. Love.

That’s it!

Everything including Christmas is about living faith and showing love.

Beyond that it’s just stuff.

So I’m sitting down with my list and removing anything that isn’t about faith and/or love.

“This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ.” ~Frank McKibben

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14

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27 Comments

  1. Oh Deb, thanks so much for the feature. I am blessed and honored.

    Those ARE tough questions there, but important ones. I want to celebrate Jesus along with you, friend. Less busyness, more Jesus!

    1. Your welcome Betsy. I loved your post. Enjoy a wonderful weekend!

  2. My husband has said this exact same message, in varying forms, over our marriage. For so long I wanted to cast him as ‘Scrooge’ in our own version of ‘The Christmas Carol’, and he was happy to earn the title, too. Yet, this question is an important one to ask. Why? And in the asking is the refining. As we pause and ponder over the reasons, we take time to sift through the possibilities we have been given and take time to choose intentionally. This season, I am slowing down and I a building Advent slowly. I am relishing the simple and embracing His grace to pour out to others. I celebrate Christmas, because it is a time to celebrate the promised gift that was manifested incarnate, and the hope that was delivered as God chose to be with us.
    🙂 Blessings to you!
    Dawn

    1. I like that Dawn . . . “building Advent slowly.” It is my prayer to be intentional in my commitments and the ways I invest in the next few weeks. Many blessings to you!

  3. This pot is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for reminding everyone the true way to celebrate Christmas.

    1. Thank you Yamini! May your celebration be blessing-filled!

  4. We need this kind of focus in our celebration, Deb. Thanks for bringing the image in clear and bright!

  5. Lisa Morris says:

    I loved that you asked the question why do we celebrate Christmas! Great post! I too am going to look at all that we do over the next several weeks and pull out what does not celebrate Christ. This would be a good habit for all year long!

    1. Thanks Lisa! I’m doing some serious looking at the way I’m celebrating. Keeping my heart and mind on Jesus. God bless you!

  6. Hi Deb,

    I love this post! Jesus really should be the focus–not parties, not any of the “trappings of the season” nor should family be the focus.

    If we love Jesus that really should change our focus to the WHO of the season. It’s all about Jesus!

    Blessings!

    Kim

    1. You’re right . . . Christmas is a who not a what. May your celebration be filled with blessings and joy!

  7. I do not celebrate Christmas for Jesus, I am not Christian. I do it as a seasonal tradition. we celebrate Yule (I’m Pagan) and do sun-related activities and spend time together as a family. Although Christmas is super commercial now, I like having an excuse at this time of year to spoil my family and friends. I LIKE this part of Christmas!

    1. Thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to join the conversation. Thank you too for being kind and respectful. We don’t have to believe the same thing or agree, but being kind is of utmost importance. And you were! I hope you enjoy a wonderful time with family and friends and are blessed by your time together.

  8. It is all about love and faith, Deb, you are so right! All the trimmings, the tree, the feasts, the presents mean nothing unless we are abiding in the One who gave us the ultimate gift.
    And yes, I’ve vowed to slow down during this season, even going to put the blog on hiatus after next Tuesday.
    Blessings!

  9. Deb, I am not Christian myself, but I found your post very thought provoking. There is much stress and anxiety during the holidays and we should all reflect more on our traditions and motivations. Happy holidays to you! <3

  10. talk about posts that make you think! this is a timely and much appreciated essay, deb!

  11. Thanks for the encouragement to consider what and how we celebrate this season of commemorating Christ’s birth, Deb! Well done!!