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Christmas Anxiety or Joy - Your Choice

12/20/2020

3 Comments

 

Well, it happened on Friday, I thought this year would be different, but no.  My annual Christmas-is-coming-and-I-haven’t-bought-everyone-I-know-a-gift-yet panic attack happened as I drove home from work.  I hoped this year would be different, I tried to concentrate on the cheer of the season.  I’ve dressed for Christmas every day in December so far, red, green, reindeer antlers on my head, jingle bells around my neck, everyday!  We have decorated the house inside and out, and a package seems to arrive each day, but none of that was able to thwart the panic.  On the way home, Friday, I needed to stop for a gift card, then I thought I should purchase two, then three, then everyone else, everyone I think I’ve ever met, began to enter my mind and the cost for the gift cards was calculated and I just couldn’t take it.  I parked and could see the line inside, so I just came home.  Defeated.  


Am I the only one who experiences this?  Last year I wrote a post about how I was introduced as someone who hated Christmas and how that remark didn’t set well with me.  Well, after thinking about it, I could see why someone might think I disliked Christmas, but I don’t, so I took multiple steps to change the perspective of my regard for Christmas and I hoped I would experience Christmas differently this year.   What I’ve realized is that the more things change, the more they stay the same. 

I think we can all agree that things changed in 2020.  Last week, I advocated for a vaccine - I typically don’t even get an annual flu shot, but this year that changed!   This year we saw that something as simple as a facemask, could cause great division.  We saw that the work of teachers is not something we all just naturally can do.  We saw that the death of a man at the hands (or knee) of another can bring out years of oppressed silence around the globe.  We even saw the toilet tissue could become a commodity.  As we move into Christmas week 2020, I realize that the more things change the more they stay the same.  The Christmas expectations have not changed - too many germs in the store, buy it online.  Don’t have enough money - use the credit card.  (Don’t do it!!!)


While 2020 has been different, and we will probably experience Christmas differently this year, one thing has not changed.  Christmas is the season in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Whether we decide to be vaccinated against Covid, whether we experienced a change in our employment, or whether we experience the loss of a loved one in 2020, Christmas is the time when we celebrate Jesus.  He is the gift we all can celebrate.  To celebrate Him, no credit card is required.  When we read the Christmas story in Matthew, we can see the contrast of different emotions - joy and expectation of the Magi in Matthew 2:2 “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  We see the stress and anxiety of Herod in Matthew 2:3, “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.”   We must choose how we experience Christmas.  Will you choose to be stressed about gifts and postage and shipping and whether to join with your family and friends, or will you view the season with joy and good tidings?  It truly is a choice.  After my anxiety passed, I’m choosing to concentrate on Jesus.  My finances will not support what my mind wants to do and that’s okay.  All of these people have birthdays and I can get them something then and spread it out over the year.  I am choosing joy and excitement over stress.  Amen.  And I hope you will too. 

Thank you for reading!
Merry Christmas! 
Kim

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Merry Christmas from Forrest and Bubba!
3 Comments
Brenda
12/20/2020 03:57:26 pm

Thank you for putting it all in perspective! Merry Christmas

Reply
Cynthia
12/20/2020 11:48:03 pm

Kim,
I agree that the commercialization and materialism of Christmas in our society has in the past been very stressful and caused undue anxiety. I long for the old days where we made our gifts and shared family traditions and food and joy was the best gift to give. I think 2020 brought some of that old-fashioned, slow down and just enjoy the moment back and for that in the midst of a pandemic is a miracle. I think if we each really evaluate this past year...it was the tough times that brought us closer as friends, neighbors, and family members.
I am looking forward to enjoying a scaled down, simple Christmas with only my husband this year. I took time to send homemade goodies to my children and closer friends, and cards to everyone else. It was a privilege to share that the true meaning of Christmas is only found in Jesus, our LORD and He is the Perfect Gift of Salvation to a desperate and needy world! Merry Christ mass to you all!

Reply
Ida Alexandria Solomon
12/21/2020 12:10:12 pm

Kimberly,

I want you to know that I do enjoy the Table that you prepare for us weekly! It Blesses the very core of my Soul! To here it from someone else helps you to realize you are not the only one. I appreciate your Honesty and down to earth! No form or fashion just plain and simple! You know it’s from God because even a foolish person can understand it! May God continue to Bless you and your family as you pour into us the wisdom that God has imparted to you!
Love you so much!❤️

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    Kimberly G. Massey, Author

    I am a wife, mother, and auntie who loves to share her perspectives on life through God's Word.  Watch my video. 

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  • Home
  • Kimberly's Blog Posts
    • Just a Thought 2024
    • Message 2021
    • Blog2020
    • Blog2019
    • Blog
  • Kimberly's Books
    • Angelic Shenanigans
    • Sowing Seeds with Brother Wali
    • Abstinence Books
    • But I Love My Husband / But We're Not Married
    • Fungi Books
    • Good Girl / Single Dad 19
    • Start Writing
    • Turn North
  • More Information
    • About the Author
    • Human Terms Publishing
    • Upcoming Book Events
    • Presentations
    • Pictures