Advent and Christmas, to me, have become a grand scale culinary season. This is a season where everyone looks forward to the feasting on food! Obviously, this comes from rich and varied traditions where for generations, everyone looks forward to these moments, and it is these traditions that have affected me and ‘drive me nuts’! By now, you must be saying to me, ‘be patient’, ‘accept tradition’, ‘no need to get affected Dil’, and ‘why not just respect the traditions?’. There is enthusiasm during the season and many look forward to the traditions!
For some, it is extremely important or necessary to develop a kind of addiction to pursuing pleasure. A few of us are stuck in the loop of dedicating our minds and bodies to achieving pleasures again and again and we begin to experience emotional turbulence if we are unable to attain this pleasure! This pattern of behavior, specifically during this season, absorbs our thoughts so much that it replaces our capacity to pursue things of value in life.
I am only dwelling on traditions where overindulgence is prevelent and it is only my personal experience and not a general statement!
For me, Christmas is a sacred celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the Savior and Redeemer of humanity. It is a time of reflection, worship, gratitude, knowing that His birth had purpose, that HE came to overcome sin, to beleive in Him, live like Him and have the assurance of eternity. The season combines the acts of love and generosity rooted in the joy of God’s gift to the world.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:11
I try my best to emphasize moderation in spending, eating, and partying during Christmas and try hard to remain in the humility and simplicity that is seen in Christ’s birth. I am very much consious that there is a danger in trying to behave ‘sane’, I am called to be generous and love others too and I must remind myself not to get too caught up in behaving like a saint!!
The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets – Proverbs 21:20
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23
The Spirit of Giving is practiced in many cultures, and this too gets overwhelming in many traditions. The commercialization of Christmas has led to an undue focus on consumerism, which sadly is not aligned to Christian values of humility and simplicity. However, we cannot forget that this is a season to share with those in need, reflecting God’s generosity.
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35
Celebrating sincerely with family and friends, feasting, and exchanging gifts can be a reflection of the joy of Christ’s birth. Christmas is celebrated with a focus on Christ and living in a manner that we look forward to eternity. Our daily walk requires that we understand that eternity is real!
The season has its sacred meaning, let us all be glad! Let us foster genuine joy and love! I pray that we can just reflect and make eternity real in our lives and live for eternity!
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. – John 17:3
INSPIRE 