DEVOTION
Don’t Let the Grinch
Steal Your Christmas Joy
By Dena J. Dyer
Guest Columnist
CBN.com
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"They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of
your righteousness" (Psalm 145:7, NIV).
What does hearing the word "Christmas" bring to your mind? Caroling
and joyful family reunions—or last-minute gift searches and fights with
your teenagers?
As a recovering perfectionist, I’ve had many celebrations that fell
short of my expectations. That led to disappointment, discontent, and sometimes
depression. Not a great way to start the New Year!
But now I realize that perfectionism is a dangerous hobby—a Grinch who
can only steal my joy if I let him. Really, what’s the worst that can
happen if I don’t have a perfect tree, a ten-course meal for all my relatives,
or a stunning Christmas card (that I got in the mail by Thanksgiving) to 500
of my closest friends?
However, I can’t stick my head in a hole for three months and ignore
Christmas. Besides, I really love the season—I just don’t care for
the unrealistic picture of perfection that so many people (me included) often
harbor.
So what are we busy wives and moms to do? First, we need to see through God’s
eyes and give ourselves, and others, mercy and grace. That’s what Christmas
is all about, anyway—God’s giving us mercy and grace in the form
of a swaddled infant.
Second, we need to ask ourselves who we really want to please—others
or God?
In Lion and Lamb, Brennan Manning says: "Letting the expectations
of others act as a subtle but controlling pressure on our Advent preparation
and Christmas celebration is people-pleasing enthrallment."
Finally, we need to recapture the awesome love and immense hope found in
the Christmas story. Then—and only then—can we plan a celebration
full of meaning and joy.
Manning says it best: "Christmas means that God has given us nothing
less than Himself and His name is Jesus Christ. Be unwilling to settle for
anything less . . . Don’t come with a thimble when God has nothing less
to give you than the ocean of Himself. Don’t be contented with a ‘nice’
Christmas . . . Pray, go to work, play Trivial Pursuit, eat banana bread,
exchange presents, go caroling, feed the hungry, comfort the lonely, and do
all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Lord, help me to let go of unrealistic expectations and, instead, focus
on celebrating Your goodness this season.
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| Copyright 2001 Dena J. Dyer. Used by permission.
Dena Dyer is a freelance writer, speaker and musician from Granbury, Texas.
Visit her Web site at: denadyer.com. |
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