It's that time of year when emotions run high for a lot of people. Some people absolutely love the holiday season. Some people hate it. Many children become almost manic with giddiness. Other people sink into almost chronic depression until the second week in January.
There is a lot I enjoy about this festive season. The biggest downer for me is hanging around depressed people. Ironically, I have consistently found that these people who are habitually depressed during this time of year have higher (not lower) expectations for the season. I suspect that goes to the root of their depression. They set themselves up for disappointment with unrealistic expectations.
Several years ago, I was trapped in a similar cycle of disappointment. But someone encouraged me to give up all my expectations for the season and just enjoy what came. It made a world of difference! I was able to embrace what was without constantly reminding myself with how it fell short of what I might have thought should be.
I hear people lamenting their financial woes and saying things like, "We're not going to have much of a Christmas this year." I find myself thinking how awful that is. Not that their financial resources are so limited but that they have so lost sight of the true meaning of the holiday. True Christmas is not about material wealth. Maybe not having all the commercial trappings is the best thing they could experience for the season. But, they will never realize the blessing until they embrace it.
Not every Christmas season is going to be "the most wonderful time of the year," but every Christmas season can be meaningful. Relax. Let go of your expectations. Receive the gift God gives, and you will be blessed, indeed!
That's Wade's two cents.
Wade Houston
December 11, 2007
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