It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the season of our Savior’s birth!
While we all know the real meaning of Christmas, it doesn’t immediately solve the commercial pressures we feel to bless others, especially our families. The average American family is expected to spend nearly $1,000 on Christmas this year, with the majority going toward gifts for friends and family. Because of today’s economic pressures, many families are feeling the stress of extra expenses this holiday season.
Rest assured, merry Christmases are not created by material means, but by meaningful memories. Can you recount every Christmas gift you ever received in your childhood? I doubt it! But I bet you remember special family gatherings, laughter in holiday calamity, or perhaps a gift given with great effort or sacrifice.
Financial strain and time stressors can cause anxiety, jealousy, or resentment when we find ourselves struggling to keep up with the Joneses. A quick social media scroll reveals images of families at a Christmas tree farm searching for the perfect tree, laughing families in matching pajamas (even the dog!), Christmas home decor rivaling five-star hotels, and family ski trips with everyone sipping cocoa as the sun sets across the snow-topped cabin.
I’m not condemning over-the-top experiences or social media sharing. Some people are gifted with wealth and others with creativity. Social media gives us a viewing window into the expression of those gifts. Meanwhile, people with enviable material means may look longingly at families who have far less – by the world’s standards – yet somehow seem to have much closer relationships and more happiness in their homes.
The point here is that comparison is the thief of joy. When we shift our gaze from the manger, our hearts wander too, nurturing discontent and insecurity. No one is immune to the prism of perfection projected through curated, filtered social media feeds showcasing “best of” moments in holiday traditions. But one of the best aspects of family tradition is uniqueness. Some traditions are downright nonsensical or “out of pocket,” as Gen Z would say. That’s what makes them fun and bonds your family together.
When you start feeling holiday stress, stop and ask yourself if the stress is self-induced. Did you overcommit your time or finances? Are you struggling to meet a standard that no one else cares about but you? Is the obligation self-inflicted?
If so, be honest with yourself and let it go. Simply say “no.” If you have already said “yes,” admit your mistake, apologize, and graciously back out. Feel the glorious freedom of plainly saying, “I am not available.” Find peace in self-release. Prioritize your family health over your pursuit of financial wealth.
Release yourself from the pressure of delivering a picture-perfect Christmas. Lift your eyes from your tiny, blue-lighted, rectangle peephole into an illusional world, and shift your gaze to the living, breathing humans God gifted to you. They value and desire your presence much more than your presents. Don’t twist yourself into a holiday pretzel worrying about spending your money while lavishly wasting your time without a second thought. Steward Christmas wisely.
It’s OK if you don’t get a picture in matching family pajamas. It’s OK if you’re not a part of perfectly orchestrated, media-worthy holiday activities. It’s OK if you don’t have money for gifts. It’s OK if you don’t go anywhere special.
Your family can still have the best Christmas ever. You can decide right now to be intentional in making “memory investments” that point your family to the eternal hope found in Jesus – the Light of the world!
(Digital Editor's Note: This article was published first in the December 2024 print edition of The Stand. Click HERE for a free six-month subscription.)
