A Different Kind of Christmas

Last Christmas my family and I were snowed in. Five feet of snow pressed against our garage door. The snowplow pushed feet of compacted snow and chunks of ice on top of a few feet of freshly fallen and wind-drifted snow. We couldn’t have gone anywhere, even if we wanted to because the entrances to our neighborhood were impassable. We exchanged gifts. We played games. I made a pot of chili and Amber and the boys made a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies. I told stories. We read. We played more games. It was maybe my most memorable Christmas ever. A different kind of Christmas.


I was thinking about words we use to describe the Christmas season: busy, stressful, obligated, predictable, and maybe even empty. Are you interested in a different kind of Christmas?

Spend less and give more. Five languages of love exist: tangible gifts, physical touch, quality time, words of affirmation, and acts of service. Most of our giving at Christmas comes in the form of tangible gifts but most of us best receive love in another way! Giving a hug, being present with somebody, writing a note of encouragement, or cleaning the house may mean far more to somebody than buying them a gift. Some of the best Christmas gifts this year won’t be found under the tree.

Give to complete strangers and to the marginalized. True Christian love is blind. True giving then has very little to do with others and more to do with the character of God and our own integrity. Surprise somebody who is not expecting anything from you this Christmas. Surprise somebody who is hurting or alone or without resources this Christmas. You will be a blessing and you will be blessed. Reflect that this act can become a habit and the habit can become a lifestyle.

Know what you can change and what you can’t change. Some situations and people exist that you simply cannot change. All you can do is change your reaction to those situations and persons. Don’t spend time and energy trying to change things and people you can’t change. And don’t let situations and others beyond your control define who you are and how you feel.

Control your schedule and don’t let your schedule control you. Some of our schedule we do not control. Some of it we do control. Commitments can pile up on top of each other draining us of energy and free time. A full schedule does not equal significance. Carve out chunks of time where you get to do the things you want to do with the people you want to do them with.

Unplug. Enough said.

Focus on this time as a time to grow closer to God. The best time and energy we invest each day is our time with God. Spend quality time with God during these days as you prepare for new birth in Christ this Christmas.

The best is yet to come…

Craig