When Christmas feels large remember what Christmas is truly about.
Christmas is a celebration of beginnings. The birth of a child. The entrance of Jesus among us. The beginning of a life well lived, a life changing life. It demonstrates to us the importance of beginnings for if Jesus hadn’t been born, if Jesus hadn’t begun the journey towards his adult self we wouldn’t have Easter and all it represents. We are after all a resurrection people. A people born in death meets life. A people born again and again.
I know at this time of year it’s easy to put that piece aside. At this time of year it’s easy to focus on the sweet, delicate child and all that is to be done. It’s easy to get lost in lists and baking, in parties and promises but the story doesn’t end here. Christmas is not the finale. Christmas is the prelude, the start to that which will be spectacular. Don’t lose sight of this as you celebrate. Don’t think all is lost if things don’t go as planned. Don’t expect perfection in that which is just the beginning.We’re starting here. We’re waiting together for the advent of that which is to come. We’re waiting for Jesus the man, the Christ, the Son.
Let go of expectations. Let go of stress and struggle. Sink into the one who brings peace and promise. This season is a beginning. A born again promise that relationship is there, that more is to come, that we will not be left alone. When Christmas feels large remember the one who is larger, the one who carries us from beginning to end.