How to Have the Best Christmas Ever
Buying gifts, standing in long lines, tensions building in relationships, concerns over finances, experiencing a bit of frustration, irritability, and exhaustion in trying to do it all. Yep, it sure sounds like the Christmas season is here!
Sadly to say, the Christmas season hasn’t always been an enjoyable time of year for me.
From feeling like a failure as a mom because I couldn’t do enough for my children,
to not being enough for others,
to not having enough to give to the ones I love.
This glorious season felt anything but glorious.
Many years ago when my children were just toddlers, a parent of mine walked out of my home on Christmas Eve. Not only did they walk out of my house, but they walked out of my life. I soon realized that there’s a cost to pay for following Jesus Christ. (Matthew. 10:35-37)
I held back my tears.
I tried to remain strong.
I was trusting in God’s plan for my life even though I couldn’t understand it.
I tried to remember Who I belonged to even though I felt rejected.
Yet, no matter the Truth, I couldn’t hold the tears back and the sorrow I felt in my heart.
So I clung to my Savior…
His Name Shall Be Called…
Wonderful, Counselor
Isaiah 9:6
Several years later my father was on his death bed during the Christmas season. We all stood around his hospital bed saying our goodbyes, and he, in his coherent state, said his goodbyes as well. It was all so odd and unnatural, but modern medicine was keeping him alive, and thus it created a modern death. Pacemakers and defibrillators needed to be turned off in his body so the remaining organ, his heart, could shut down too.
It was a death that you watched and waited for and it was wrong on every level. But there was no other choice. We all stood and cried as we looked on at the nurse injecting morphine into my father’s IV, a man who was fully alive, but one who would soon sleep and never awake on this earth again.
And then we waited for him to take his last breath…
He died on Christmas Eve.
My boys were too young to understand death, but they did understand Jesus’ birth since they had been anticipating the Messiah’s arrival all month long. So the Christmas Eve festivities continued at my house like planned.
I thought the busyness would help numb the pain and the sense of loss that I was feeling.
I held back my tears.
I tried to remain strong.
But the tears rushed down my face.
So I clung to my Savior…
His Name Shall Be Called…
Almighty God and Everlasting Father
Isaiah 9:6
A few years later and we have no gifts to give our children and no stable place to call home.
I was fighting the fears that were welling up inside of me.
I was pushing aside things that didn’t make sense.
Will our basic necessities truly be met like the Word says?
“Jesus will provide,” was a constant statement I’d share with my boys and my husband. And in my heart I was trying to believe it myself. But of course the doubt and the questioning of my Messiah came…
Why would the Lord allow this?
I held back my tears.
I tried to remain strong.
But it was no use holding back the flood of tears because they just gushed out.
So I clung to my Savior…
His Name Shall Be Called…
The Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6
It’s been hard finding Joy in Christmas.
I’ve known the Isaiah 9:6 verse for many years and it’s one that I just truly love. Reading all the different aspects of Who Christ is really ministers to me. But for some reason I didn’t apply that piece of the puzzle when I went through my ‘Christmas season’ trials.
When it felt like I didn’t know what to do based on my life’s circumstances, what I had right in front of me was my Wonderful Counselor guiding me into all Truth.
When my heart ached to be loved and comforted, I had THE Almighty God and My Everlasting Father’s arms to run right into.
And when it felt like my world was crumbling, I had the Prince of Peace soothing my soul.
So I have learned over all of my years that no matter my life’s circumstances that true Joy comes from:
- Seeking Jesus,
- Resting in Him,
- Standing firm on His promises,
- Clinging to Him rather than to my own hopes and dreams,
- and praising His name because it is well with my soul.
It’s in those moments that I’m ushered into the presence of the King of Kings. Even if life is wonderful right now, it could never trump experiencing the glory of God.
Your life might be a mess right now. Maybe you’re hurting and you feel forsaken. Maybe you’re living in depression and despair. Maybe you’re gripped by fear or living in strife. Maybe it’s your marriage, your children, outside relationships, your health or maybe even your finances. You might be standing in ashes and you’re waiting for a miracle this Christmas.
Our Miracle has come, sweet friend…
because the Christ Child has come for you,
He came to dwell with you,
He is within you.
and He won’t forsake you.
When you’re in the presence of the Messiah, the Savior of the World, that’s how you have the best Christmas ever!
Here’s a peek into some areas of what our Christmas looks like this year….
It’s been quite simplified because of our financial hardships. A few years back we sold our 9 ft. fake tree (the one I just loved!) We sold it because we needed food. Now we have one that’s less than 2 ft. tall. It’s what we can afford and what will fit into our little home. Yes, our lives have changed even down to how we decorate for Christmas. But there’s a simplicity to our lives today and that’s something very sweet and precious; something I’ve learned the hard way! 🙂
We wish to see Jesus. John 12:21
Tips on How to Experience the Presence of the Lord this Christmas:
- Be in God’s Word.
- Spend time in prayer.
- Then sit and listen (generally this step is skipped because we live in such a fast-paced world filled with to-do lists to be checked off especially during the Christmas season!) But truly sit and wait for the Lord to speak to you.
- Be in fellowship with like-minded Believers and actually talk about the things of the Lord. Here’s some examples: How is God ministering to you? Where do you see His hand in your life right now? How is God using you today?
- Listen to Christ-centered music. (I absolutely love praise and worship music because it always ministers to my soul.) Right now Chris Tomlin’s, Michael W. Smith’s, Casting Crowns’, and Jeremy Camp’s Christmas music is on repeat in my cd player. Hearing this throughout the day takes the focus off of myself, my fears, concerns, selfish desires, etc. and puts my perspective back on Christ.
When Mary was with Child, she visited Elizabeth and she shared with her these life-giving, soul-refreshing, Christ-centered words…
“My soul magnifies the Lord!” For He has done great things for us! (Luke 1:46, 49)
I’m going to follow in Mary’s footsteps, friend. Will you join me?
Now it’s your turn. What else can you add to this list so you can experience the presence of the Lord during this glorious season?
For some low-cost to no-cost ideas for Christmas, you can read this post.
Live a poured out life for Christ,
Need some encouragement and guidance in your marriage? Grab my latest book, Wives of the Bible: 25 Easy Lessons You Can Learn from these Imperfect Women that Will Radically Transform Your Marriage.
A lovely article.Seems you have had your share of heartaches.I too have been in some pretty tough places so I can relate.Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour!
Thanks Sandra! Many blessings to you, too. 🙂
Jolene, this was just beautiful. It touched my heart on so many levels! Merry Christmas! God is so good!
Thank you, Melissa. Yes, God is so good. Blessings to you and your family.
Thank you for such a beautiful, moving, inspiring post.
Visit me:
LeeAnne, Style N Season
https://stylenseason.blogspot.com
Wow– thanks for sharing this, Jolene. I’m sorry you had such hard times, but I’m so glad you came out the other side stronger and closer to the Lord! Merry Christmas!
Jolene ~ My heart broke as I read your story and I had new tears as I read it. I cried for your pain and I cried for the reminder of mine. Eight years ago I found myself in the same situation. My dad had surgery to remove cancer, the surgery went well, but afterwards he developed ARDS (hardening of the lungs). He was put on a ventilator with a breathing tube so he was unable to talk. He was like that for three months, this included Thanksgiving and Christmas. He died January fourth. The whole world was happy and celebrating and my world was falling apart. Yet, through it all God showed Himself strong. With each new sorrow he brought comfort. Just like your post said, Christ is our only hope and only reason for joy. May we all look to Him – in easy times and in the not so easy. Thanks for sharing – it blessed my heart!
God bless and have a very blessed Christmas!
Yes, Ronda, in the hard times and the easy times let’s always look to Him. Thanks for sharing your story with those that come here as well. May Christ be glorified through our lives.
You have hit the really high notes here, Jolene. Sometimes the hardest lessons we learn are the most precious. We, too, have simplified our Christmas. It is pure joy to gather with our two girls and our son-in-law, exchange just a few simple gifts, and enjoy our time together with the beautiful music running in the background. Our girls (in their twenties) even said last year that this way of doing Christmas was just so much better: less stress, more time to just spend together.
Oh thanks for sharing what your Christmas looks like, Kim! Yes, it is a lot less stressful when you have less to do! One of the benefits of not having much money!
Dear Jolene,
This was SUCH a beautiful and inspiring article (I was it on Pinterest!)
I host a weekly party, Inspire Me Monday over at Create With Joy. I would LOVE for you to share this and to join us each week as I know you would be an inspiration to us all!
Have a blessed Christmas!
Create With Joy
https://create-with-joy.com
P.S. Listening to Christ-centered music also centers my soul!
Hi friend,
So blessed to hear this ministered to you and thanks for sharing about your link-up! I’ll come by soon!
Such a transparent and touching post. Praise Him that He is all we need, and that He replaces our fear with His joy! Thanks for hosting & God bless!
Amen Laurie!
this is such an inspiration. It’s hard t go through a rough spot, especially at Christmas. thanks for opening up, and being honest and sharing with us. Hugs! thanks for the link up too. I host a Tuesday pinterest link up, you are invited to link up any craft projects you have. 🙂
Hi Erica,
Thanks for the ‘hug’ and sharing about your link up on Tuesdays. I’ll come by and check it out!
Jolene,
What a beautiful message about faith, particularly at this time of year. We are struggling in the wake of some unanticipated difficulties (health and finances), and I continue to be grateful for the faith that sustains us.
Bless you for sharing your message and your heart.
Peace and good to you along with abundant blessings now and into the New Year.
Thank you Chelle,
Blessings to you and your family as well. Stay strong in Christ, my friend!
Jolene, what a great article! Loved it! Thanks for sharing not only your hurts, but your healing and comfort in Christ. Would you be willing to link this post up tomorrow at my blog link up party? I would love for others to see this & be blessed!
http://www.courtshipconnection/blog
I think it’s a big and sometimes very challenging thing to be happy in the place that we are. You are very strong! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Great post, Jolene! I’ve been hearing a lot about the Isaiah 9 passage lately, and accepting the Lord’s peace this season. It can be incredibly stressful that’s for sure. I feel buried in potlucks right now, but it’s wonderful to know that the Lord’s peace surpasses understanding. Tonight while I was baking, I enjoyed 2 fun games of Star Wars Monopoly (a birthday present from my husband yesterday) and it helped the time pass faster and we got to spend quality time together. We listened to Casting Crowns Peace on Earth – appropriate and it ministered to our hearts. Thank You, Lord, for little moments of peace on earth. I think the thing I get caught up in is needing to feel peace all the time… and trying to make peace happen when in reality, it’s God who makes peace happen, and it’s only in Him that we can find true lasting peace.
I’m working on taking out little moments just to reflect on the Lord’s goodness and the beauty of His Name this season. I started late, but a lady from my church suggested taking one letter of the alphabet for each day in December and finding a name of Jesus that corresponds with that letter to meditate on for 5 minutes a day, and to find a Bible verse corresponding with it. Here’s my list so far…
A- Advocate
B – Bread of Life
C – Christ
D – Deliverer
E – Emmanuel
I pray that God’s peace that surpasses understanding will be poured out upon you this Christmas season in abundance, and you will be able to experience true joy and true peace during the holidays.
Hannah,
I love this idea! And I really like what you’ve already come up with. If you get a chance, make sure to let us know what your final list was.
Wishing everyone here a Merry Christmas!
In His Grip,
Monica
https://happyandblessedhome.com
Beautiful Jolene, I couldn’t help but notice your PEACE stocking hangars! Your words always touch my heart. Thx for the continued conviction about the true priorities in life. They are not of this world. AMEN, sister!
Great post and so relatable. I lost my Dad 3 yr ago today, two weeks before Christmas, and on that Christmas Day my Mum (who had been estranged from my Dad for 25 years) lost the plot and divorced me from her life. I have noticed a different type of Christmas since then. I still enjoy it yet now it is not so much focused on what everyone wants and expectations of lavish abundance. It is now about enjoying my little family and serving the Lord on HIS special day! Great post…p.s. We have a 2 ft tree too 🙂 Blessings to you!
I love your ideas for keeping Christ at the center of Christmas. My husband’s father passed away the day after Thanksgiving this year and our two precious boys keep us in the spirit despite his passing. Merry Christmas and thanks for this post.
In His Grip,
Monica
https://happyandblessedhome.com
Jolene, once more I wanted to let you know how special I thought this post was. I have featured you this week at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy. I hope this Christmas season is filled with much joy and blessings for you and your family! 🙂
Stopping by from The Better Mom. What a great post. Yes, this time of year can be so difficult for people. What wonderful suggestions for how to turn a difficult season into a blessed season. Thank you for sharing. Blessings from Croatia: A Little R & R: http://www.littlerandr.org
My husband and I are struggling with our decision in regards to Christmas. I was raised in a Christian home where there was a Santa Claus, Easter bunny, tooth fairy and Halloween. My husband was raised in a Christian home where they did not recognize any of those holidays. My husband feels that our new family should not recognize any of these holidays, because it is not the Christian way of living, that my parents lied to me about fictional characters and that it is all very pagan. I am devistated by his words and it is leaving me very empty on the inside knowing that my children are not going to have those childhood memories that I so cherish. What is your Christian view on Christmas time and/or other holidays??
Hi Whitney,
I’m so sorry to hear how you’re feeling inside! I wrote an entire ebook on strengthening your child’s faith at Christmas and I even addressed the whole ‘santa’ issue. Here is the link to it: https://joleneengle.com/how-to-strengthen-your-childs-faith-at-christmas/