Putting down our Christmas swords
Peace on earth, Goodwill toward men
Well, friends… here we are. Right smack dab in the middle of the holiday season. Full on hustle and bustle with a side of anxiety thrown in for good measure, right? LOL I gotta say, I am enjoying this December more than the last few years and I’ve been pondering what the differences are for me lately, besides the Cymbalta, of course! Ha.
Over the last few years, Decembers have brought on panic attacks for me and it has taken a good therapist to help me figure out what the triggers are. I mean, some of it was obvious - the pressure of holiday shopping/gift-buying, missing loved ones who had passed on, heightened family dysfunction, parties and other events crammed into our already full-schedules etc… I mean - who doesn’t feel all that this time of year? But I also have other, more personal triggers, which give me a melancholy feeling at best and full-on depression at worst. This year I’m doing much better than years past. I’ve done some pretty intense personal and spiritual work over the last year and although it wasn’t easy, I’m feeling the benefits in many ways. I’m definitely grateful for that.
If you are struggling through the holidays this year, please know you aren’t alone. I’ve learned that it’s very common for people to emotionally limp through this time of year. Sometimes we have full-on breakdowns. Call your therapist, a family member, or a close friend. Get the help you need. Get the help you deserve. Asking for help doesn’t make you seem weak - it shows you are STRONG enough to advocate for yourself. And if I can do anything to help, I’m here. Truly.
One of my new favorite writers is Rev. Benjamin Cremer. At the bottom of this newsletter I have linked how to sign up for his writings and or follow him on his socials. I highly recommend you taking a look at what he is offering. His words have been so on point to me lately. Anyway… last year he wrote a wonderful post about the holidays and how incensed some Christians get when someone says “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” to them. One of his quotes from his blog was:
"We Christians should be more concerned with keeping Christ in “Christian” than we are about the culture keeping Christ in “Christmas.”
That is some truth right there. Why DO Christians get so insulted and angry by someone simply smiling and saying “Happy Holidays”? I mean, there are so many holidays being celebrated during this time of year! In fact, the Interfaith Calendar organization lists 14 religious holidays for the month of December, so how would a stranger possibly know which holiday I happen to be celebrating? Since they don’t know my religious affiliation, saying “Happy Holidays” seems like the best choice for anyone to say around the holiday season. Even though I celebrate Christmas, unless I know for certain that the person I’m with is a Christian, I choose to say Happy Holidays myself as a way of honoring their beliefs. It feels right to me.
In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul talks about the humility and respect we should use around others who may not believe as we do. We should do this as a way to show love and honor to everyone we meet.
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.*
That is a beautiful description of humility and goodwill, both characteristics that Christ embodied and we as Christians should strive for, especially during this time of year. Sadly, too many people have bought into the “War on Christmas” and are walking around with their swords drawn ready to cut off the heads of anyone who dares say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”, or are jumping at the chance to boycott any business who strives to be inclusive to other religions celebrating their own holidays this time of year. It’s so sad to watch. Here we have a wonderful opportunity to show our love for all mankind, by simply putting down our swords for a moment and just assume the best in one another instead of the worst - and we are blowing it.
Generosity and Goodwill. Two things we need more of. And I mean generosity of the spirit as much, if not more, than financial generosity. Giving people the benefit of the doubt when they do something that doesn’t sit well with you. Believing they are doing the best they can. Offering grace. Choosing to overlook mistakes. It’s a beautiful space to be in and one I’ve been consciously choosing to stay in lately. It helps me as much, if not more, than those I’m being generous with.
Peace. God’s desire for peace in the world starts with us. Remembering that we are all made in the image of God -no matter what religion we celebrate -helps unite us all and bring peace and love into our world. The more I understand that we are all connected, the more peaceful I feel. It gets me out of the “us vs. them” mentality and helps me love more boldly and more beautifully and that is what I want to strive for.
Jesus’ birth was all about bringing peace into the world. He was the “Prince of Peace” after all! And as followers of Christ, may we all do the same. So let’s put down our swords (whew, what a relief!) and wield peace and goodwill this year. I think we can only do that if we find those qualities in ourselves. We cannot give what we do not have.
So my prayer for all of us, as we find ourselves gathering together to celebrate Christmas, New Year’s and any other holiday being observed, is that we find a way to have peace in our hearts this year. Whatever is bothering us, stressing us, worrying us - may we allow peace to settle over it and give those problems over to God as our present to him this Christmas. He will gladly accept that gift.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this Substack in 2023. I’ll be back in 2024.
Much love to you all…. Marcia
P.S. Did you know The God and My Girlfriends Podcast is back? My friend and co-host, Stacey Wynn just finished six episodes for Season Three and we had some awesome conversations with amazing woman. Be sure and check it out and if you like it, please leave us a rating and review. That really helps others find us!
… and we will be back to start Season Four in January 2024 so make sure you subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so that it automatically comes into your feed each week. Thanks to everyone who has joined us. We love doing it!
Link: https://godandmygirlfriends.buzzsprout.com/
*direct quote from The Bible, 1 Corinthians 9: 19 - 23, NIV version
To sign up for Benjamin Cremer’s newsletter: https://bit.ly/3O3OwJl
Benjamin’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ben.cremer
Benjamin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brcremer
Benjamin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brcremer/