Celebrating holidays

How do you celebrate holidays?

Probably the wrong way.

I always put a lot of planning into the holiday menu. Food is the star. That’s probably not the best answer.

There’s also an emphasis on family. Calling extended family and spending time with the family you live with is good, but that’s not the ideal answer either.

I remember one Christmas that, due to circumstances out of my control, I spent Christmas alone. Surprisingly, it was the best one. It wasn’t about food, family or stuff, but about Jesus. It was a day of worship a really holy day. Isn’t that what a holiday is supposed to be?

In my country we have commercialized every holiday so they aren’t holy days. I won’t get into the discussion about pagan influence today. That’s a discussion for another day.

But the bottom line is the best times are not centered around family, food, or stuff – they are centered around Jesus. I’ll keep that in my mind for future reference.

God, please help me to remember this lesson you first not food or family or stuff.

Jesus first. Others second. Myself last. That’s where the real joy comes in.

Blessings!