I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.
There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.
We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.
But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.
For our kids or for us.
There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.
Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.
And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.
Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap.
Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.
A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.
A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.
My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’.
Thank you for meeting me at the fence today,
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11 Comments on "It’s Just One Month"
This post is spot on! It reminds me of the food drives right before Thanksgiving. What happens to those folks the rest of the year? Faith and caring for others is an ongoing process, not devoted to a specific time of year.
Thank you!
Well said!!! As I was listening to the Christian radio station I listen to today they were talking about feeding the homeless during the Christmas season. I must say what went through my mind is that we need to do this year round not just in November or December. People should celebrate Christmas with their families but we don’t need to forget the needs in our communities all of the time. I do hope you and your family will have a very Merry Christmas and nothing but the best in the New Year!!
Great post and thank you
Well written – and a very good reminder to do just that. Enjoy the season, be kind all year, be generous and savor each moment our Lord gives us to breathe.
And perhaps the grace I (hopefully) manage to give to myself will not beating myself up if I have more than just a few Christmas cookies. Oh, gracious, the guilt, the guilt! : – )
Hugs. God bless.
Thank you Michele!! And definitely grace for that extra cookie (or 2!). LOL!!
I love this post!!!!
Thank you so much Kay!
This reminded me of a song I know. Why can’t Christmas just be Christmas with its sweet simple song. Why can’t Christmas just be Christmas, in our hearts all year long!
I’ve heard that song too Teresa! Love it!
Thank you for the reminder. Just last Sunday we had are gift tree at church and most all the tags were for products that were to refill our food bank that runs all year long, it was a reminder to all that we had not been doing are share this year to help the needy in our parish. thank you