Like many parents, I'm often guilty of this line of thinking:  "As soon as I get through the holidays, I can get this done and that done.  And then I can finally relax."  Somehow, in our quest to become adults and do grown-up things, we forget that the Christmas season is not something to "get through."

                I believe that God made the time period of childhood because it gives us so many lessons on His relationship with us.  When you spend time with kids, you quickly remember what pure joy looks like - as well as uninhibited frustration.  As a parent, you quickly understand the concept of unconditional love - the same love God has for us. 

Working in a school, we always joke that during this time of year, emotions are turned up to the maximum level:  happiness, excitement, sadness.  (And that's just the staff!  J)  While the joys of the season can serve as "distractions" from regular school work, they also serve as reminders that the day-to-day things of this world are not all we were created for.  We serve a God who loves to celebrate, and our children naturally understand that.

                This is the time of year when we have the Christmas program, the Christmas Feast, the parade, the craft fair, parties, office and classroom decorations, special parent gifts - and that's just what's happening at school!  At home, kids can instantly dial in to parental stress.  They know that mom and dad are dealing with visiting family, squeezed gift-buying budgets, stratospheric levels of cooking and wrapping, all of which is coated with the veneer of twinkling Christmas lights and keepsake ornaments.

                It's a lot. 

                The good news is that the reason for Christmas frees us from worry by helping us focus on what really matters.  I love the Message translation of Matthew 11:28-30:

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly." 

                I have to tell myself this as much as anyone else:  this Christmas, feel free to take a step off of the Christmas culture merry-go-round.  If you hear yourself trying to "get through," stop what you're doing, sit down, and remember that this is a celebration of the One who came to free us from our messes.  This is His celebration, and he wants us to learn those "unforced rhythms of grace" this season.  He wants us to remember that child-like joy.  If they're stressing you out, the cookies can wait.  The dinner can be less fancy.  Childhood is just a short time.  They probably won't remember all the presents, but they'll always remember if we were smiling while we celebrated Christ's birth.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!  I wish you a restful, joyful, Jesus-filled holiday!