The holidays can often be a stressful time. In the last few years I have actually dreaded the holiday season. I’m divorced so I have to split my kid’s holiday time with my ex-husband. Being without them is hard enough, but it is especially difficult during the special time of holidays. I will admit, I might have cried when I decided to give my ex Halloween this year. They will be at their dad’s house most of Christmas Eve, as well as Christmas Day, meaning we might not get to have our “Christmas” (open presents, spend time together, etc) until Christmas night.
Maybe you are in a similar situation, or maybe you aren’t, but either way, the holidays can bring great expectations, as well as disappointments. Last year I wouldn’t even walk down the Christmas aisle at stores because I didn’t want to be reminded of the reality of my holidays.
Tradition vs. Biblical
But, here is some truth: we have high expectations for holidays, and they are not Biblical. For Thanksgiving, I would love to be able to go to lunch at my parent's house, then spend some time at my husband’s family house, then get out the Christmas decorations and decorate the house with my husband and kids. For Christmas Eve I would love to take the kids to church, walk around the neighborhood with hot chocolate and look at lights, and watch Christmas movies.
These are fun traditions that we have created but nowhere in the Bible does it say that in order to celebrate Thanksgiving or celebrate Jesus’ birth, we have to do these traditions.
Truth
Here are a few verses I am meditating on this season:
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
Psalm 145:7
This season is about remembering God’s goodness and getting grateful for what He’s done in our life. I want to remember this season that God knows my heart - He sees what I’m going through and the limited time I have with my kids has no effect on Him. He can still provide joy and abundance with what I have. So when I am with my kids I will enjoy our time, and when I am not, I will lean into God, knowing He is a good father.