4 Reasons Why I’m NOT celebrating Christmas!

Lisa Preuett

Before the kids had time to sink their teeth into Halloween candy, Christmas tunes were blasting through the radio waves. What? Really? Even my 10-year old daughter was shocked at this. With a piece of Halloween candy in her hand she gasped, “Mom, why are they playing Christmas music so early? Don’t those people know what month it is?”

Can’t a child enjoy their Tootsie rolls and suckers for a little bit before thinking about candy canes already?

Before we barely finished displaying our homes with fall decorations, stores were already dragging the Christmas decor into the aisles. Before the last pumpkins and mums were purchased, the ornaments and Christmas trees were already in place. Political commercials for the upcoming election day were intertwined with those that pushed us to start Christmas shopping.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we live in a society that is driven by materialism.

The sooner we can get people thinking about Christmas, the sooner they will start to shop. And the sooner they begin to shop, the sooner more money will be made.

It’s probably not too far-fetched to imagine that at some point in the near future we’ll find ourselves taking down 4th of July flags only to replace them the next day with Christmas lights.

I don’t know about you, but as a follower of Jesus my heart grieves at this materialistic attitude we’re surrounded by. For many, Thanksgiving traditions of lingering over coffee and dessert with family have expanded to a quick bite only to dash out the door to be first in line… all for the sake of a good deal. Black Friday is no longer on Friday anymore! What are they calling it now?

If we aren’t careful, it’s easy to allow the greediness of this world to trample upon the gift of grace that was so lavishly poured out on us.

With that said, I’m taking a stand. I’ll not be celebrating Christmas this year. I’m celebrating Christ….not the commercialized Christmas our culture has embraced. I’m celebrating the gift of salvation….not the grasping of more stuff.

1. Instead of getting caught up in the RUSH……I’m going to slow down and relish the REST of my Redeemer.

2. Instead of going on a rampage to SPEND……I’m going to be still and SEEK the face of my Savior.

3. Instead of allowing stress to lead to PANIC……I’m going to pursue the promise of His PEACE.

4. Instead of filling my trunk with too many PRESENTS, I’m going to empty myself to be filled with more of His PRESENCE.

Please don’t misunderstand my words. I am not putting the Scrooge label on my forehead by any means. I will put up a Christmas tree, shop for presents, and engage in festivities with family and friends.

But I resolve to not get caught up in how our culture defines Christmas. If it doesn’t truly involve Jesus Christ, then don’t call it Christmas. Call it the Holiday Season, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, or Winter Celebration. Any of those will do just fine.

But for the sake of our Savior…..don’t call it Christmas if you intend to leave out Christ.

What about you? Where is your heart on this, dear friend? Do you find yourself getting caught up with the motions instead of the message? Do you feel overwhelmed with the count-down to Christmas or are you truly excited about the celebration of Jesus coming to earth?

My prayer is that we will trade the urge to rush, spend and panic for the desire to rest, seek and pursue the peace of Jesus Christ…the real meaning of Christmas.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

christmas tree

Blessings to you!

Lisa Preuett

http://www.reststopforthesoul.com

 

 

 

22 thoughts on “4 Reasons Why I’m NOT celebrating Christmas!”

  • sorry, tail between my legs. i have a policy not to “disagree” with people in the blogsphere. how sad to sit and read and tell everyone what they are doing wrong. but your title caught my eye. i was sucked in. (good job with that) i read. and now, i have to comment. i also am a believer. i absolutely agree with your focus. IT IS ABOUT JESUS, right?!!! however, if i can direct you to my blog: beautifullifewithcancer.com and my post (about a week back) titled “The World God it Right” This is awful, i know. i should have a quick link that leads you right to it, but i am so horrible with knowing how to do that kind of stuff. i completely understand if you don’t, but IF you read it, i would love your reaction (as i gave you mine with your post) have a great day!

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    • Caroline, thanks for your comment on here. I really appreciate the feedback. I’m new at this blogging thing and always appreciate interaction on my blog. Yes, I will check out your post and give you a response. Praying you have a blessed day today!

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  • Hi Lisa, I agree with you. Christmas is now so commercialized that it’s easy to slip into “stuff mode”. I try to make it a point to really embrace the family time and instill the importance of Christ to my daughter. Having more a spirit of thanksgiving vs. what did I get/who did I forget.

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    • Thanks for your comment, April. I physically feel stressed just thinking about shopping and I hate that feeling! I am really praying for a peace that only comes from Jesus to overcome this attitude. Have a blessed Christmas!

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  • Beautiful points, Lisa, and I love the juxtaposition of words like rush vs rest. They actually looked good in the all caps to highlight them. In our home, we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah, looking for the seasons of giving and light in them. I, too, am saddened by the commercialism we’ve attached to most everything within our Christian walk, from music to media to holidays. I’m thankful when I see someone who wants to stand for the deeper meaning, so thank you for sharing this inspiration.

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  • I know what you mean. For the past few years I’ve tried really hard to be mostly done with shopping by Thanksgiving so that the month of December doesn’t become about that last minute gift-grab (it also helps me keep it more affordable by finding deals and spreading out the costs). It also lets me enjoy the good things about the season without being stressed by the shopping list.

    When my oldest was almost 4–old enough to start thinking about the presents under the tree–we started our Advent Nativitree (http://etsy.me/11okQhW ) tradition. I intentionally wait to put up our Christmas tree, but we have a mini one. We have nativity ornaments that go in our advent calendars and each night they open the advent calendar, pull out the ornament and read the portion of the Biblical Christmas story that goes with the ornament. By the time we put our tree up in the middle of the month, we’re halfway through the nativity story. It has helped a lot with keeping the kiddos aware of what Christmas is really about.

    I hope you find this Christmas is your most joyous and blessed yet.

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  • Thank you for sharing this post. It is crazy how quick everything came out this year. I feel like Thanksgiving completely got ran over and it’s not even until next week. It is a beautiful message that you are reminding people about Christ in Christmas and about the importance of family, and not just the material gifts.

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  • I know what you mean. For the past few years I’ve tried really hard to be mostly done with shopping by Thanksgiving so that the month of December doesn’t become about that last minute gift-grab (it also helps me keep it more affordable by finding deals and spreading out the costs). It also lets me enjoy the good things about the season without being stressed by the shopping list.

    When my oldest was almost 4–old enough to start thinking about the presents under the tree–we started our Advent Nativitree (http://etsy.me/11okQhW ) tradition. I intentionally wait to put up our Christmas tree, but we have a mini one. We have nativity ornaments that go in our advent calendars and each night they open the advent calendar, pull out the ornament and read the portion of the Biblical Christmas story that goes with the ornament. By the time we put our tree up in the middle of the month, we’re halfway through the nativity story. It has helped a lot with keeping the kiddos aware of what Christmas is really about.

    I hope you find this Christmas is your most joyous and blessed yet.

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  • Haha, I love, “Can’t a child enjoy their Tootsie rolls and suckers for a little bit before thinking about candy canes already?”. Great suggestions, and you’ve reminded me that I want to think of something I can give to Jesus for Christmas – like more time with Him in scripture, or praising Him for the beauty found in winter. I’m glad you brought up Black Friday – I’m surprised to hear it advertised so much this year- I’m in Canada and we don’t have Black Friday related to our Thanksgiving which is earlier than yours. Some of our stores have instituted a Black Friday to keep people from going south over the border to shop, so I guess this is how we’ll be celebrating your thanksgiving 🙂

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  • What a great post! It’s refreshing to read blogs written by those who love Jesus. The statement that hit me most was this one:

    “For many, Thanksgiving traditions of lingering over coffee and dessert with family have expanded to a quick bite only to dash out the door to be first in line… all for the sake of a good deal.”

    I can remember our family hanging out all day and evening at Grandma’s even after I was married. I miss that. Everyone is out the door in a hurry now it seems.

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  • Lisa,
    I have huge problem with the beginning of your post. You say “as a follower of Christ” then you tell everyone that you and your children celebrate Halloween! As a “follower of Christ” you should get a check in your spirit about celebrating a demonic holiday! I urge you to research the origin of Halloween, and stop giving in to the world.

    In Christian Love,
    T.Hollis

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