There’s always so much hype and frenzy leading up to Christmas, isn’t there? The flurry of shopping, the baking, the endless parties and the wrapping consume the days and weeks that precede it. There is a great sense of anticipation from kids and grown-ups alike. Will she like her present? Will I finally get that video game? Will we get through a family get-together without the usual drama this year? Whatever you or your kids were anticipating this year, you are likely to find yourselves on the other side of Christmas day feeling let down. Instead of letting that feeling of dissatisfaction or incompleteness wash over you, you can use it as an opportunity to see the Lord in all things and share that knowledge with your kids.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.” This is one of my favorite verses. Basically it means that every person has been programmed to be uncomfortable here on this earth. Isn’t that a wonderful indicator of the grace and love that our God has for people? All people have a sense that there is more to life than is evident on this earth. He has hard wired us to seek Him out. Unfortunately, many people misinterpret that ache in their hearts and try to fill it with all manner of human satisfaction like money, fame, adventure, and belonging. And no matter how hard they try, they come away feeling let-down. Christmas is often no different. We hope and wish that the magical days of Christmas will fill that hole. But it never does.
As you sit among the boxes and torn wrapping with that ache in your heart, let it remind you that the Lord aches for you. Let Him be your satisfaction. Let His eternal purpose for you give you hope. Consider Psalm 145:13-17:
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.
The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
And as your children struggle to adjust to the highs and lows of emotions that follow this much-anticipated day, take the time to sit with them and talk about their feelings. Instead of seeing their sour mood as ingratitude, let them know that the hollow feeling is part of God’s plan and design. You can say something like, “You know, I feel let-down too. No matter how much we try to make Christmas magical, there is a feeling of disappointment after it is over. That is because there is a Jesus-sized hole in our hearts that we tried to fill with presents, cookies, and fun. Those things are great, but they will never satisfy us like God can. Let’s tell Him that we feel dissatisfied and list some of the ways that He has already blessed us right now.”
May He fill you and your families up to overflowing this Christmas season.
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