Forced Joy

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. - Charles Dickens, "A Tale of Two Cities"

2011 has been a hard year in many ways for us, especially financially. And yet, Jill and I agree this has been the best Christmas season we've ever enjoyed together as a family... bar none. There's something real and good about this year that that has always eluded us for the past 22 years. This has been a season of forced joy.

Now, we've never been the type of people to get too caught up in the consumerism of Christmas. It's not like we've ever gotten in a fist-fight with strangers over that last "hot" toy of the season on the shelf at Target. That said, however, we have traditionally gotten caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season... the stress and temptation of spending more money than we really have... waiting in long lines to buy our treasures.. getting just the right Christmas tree (and getting it home, decorated, etc.)... wading through horrible traffic at the mall, going through our list hoping we can find something for everyone so we don't have to come back to this god-foresaken frenzy of people, stuff, cars, overpriced lattes... and lines as far as the eye can see. Stress is in the air at Christmas time! The songs romanticize it, but the reality is that many people are on edge from over-stimulation.

I remember one time getting our tree in early December when we lived in Orting. We were on our way home, driving carefully so as not to spill the overpriced tree tied to the roof of our Ford Escort. We were shocked when a young couple, also loaded down with Christmas goodies and packages... passed us (illegally), honked their horn, gave us the stink-eye, and - in unison - flipped us off as they sped around our car. Wow... merry Christmas to you too!

 

We've all seen them, right? The bah-humbugs of the shopping mall or cafe or gas station. Songs that celebrate peace on earth playing in the background everywhere you go... but there ain't nothing peaceful or joyous about some folks this time of year. Perhaps we've all been that grumpy person...?

I remember one time when the kids were around six and ten years old. We were broke as broke gets... but wanted to give our kids the "best Christmas ever" So we did what all well-meaning parents do in that situation... used the good old plastic to buy happiness. At least we attempted to use it. Let me tell you, nothing is more embarrassing than having a shopping cart full of toys rung up at Wal-Mart... only to be told that your credit card has been rejected. Like a Southwest Airlines ad... we just wanted to get away! Nothing screams shame and failure quite like the impersonal voice of the (rushed and annoyed) cashier informing us that our card has non-sufficient funds. Talk about humiliating!

However, this year is different. This year we don't have any extra money... so we decided to make an otherwise stressful situation into an opportunity. It may have been forced upon us... but nevertheless, we made a decision together... and it has reaped the surprising harvest of abundant joy within our family. No gifts this year. No (living) tree. No charge cards. No arguments. No stress. No shopping. No hassle. No consumerism... period. Just Jesus, and food... and family... and a quiet, simple, hassle-free holiday season.

 

For many years now, Jill and I have understood the true meaning of Christmas... and have always wanted to escape the trap of go, go, go. Truth is, we've always just wanted to enjoy the brighter (and romantic) aspects of the Christmas season. But frankly, we've never been willing to do it... it's too easy to give in at the last minute. Consequently, we have never received the joy of simple faith... not like this year. We all talk about getting away from the ugly side of Christmas... the hectic pace that consumerism puts us through unwittingly... but when it comes down to it, most all of us give in to the sin of overindulgence (both with our time and money) sooner or later... and one way or another, suffering the consequences. Nothing's worse than getting a massive Visa bill for a bunch of junk no one really needed or appreciated in the first place. Especially when you consider that the toys and trinkets (not to mention the gift cards) will be used up, forgotten and/or destroyed long before the bill may be paid off.

 

But this year is different for us. I've not even thought about the stress of Bellevue Square or Southcenter... and all that implies. Heck, I've not even gone to Yakima... the good old shopping stand-by of Ellensburgers everywhere! Our big splurge was a trip to Fred Meyer (the "Mall" of Ellensburg)... to buy an assortment of stocking stuffers for the kids (and dogs). It feels weird, but no lists of gifts for this person or that... no last-minute rush to the store to find gifts. Nothing that smacks of stress or guilt. We don't have it... and (at least for this year), we don't miss it either.

Christmas is about the gift of Christ into the world. Christmas is about celebration of life... real life that is found in the mindset of humbleness and gratitude.  Christmas is about relationships with people. Family... even those who kind of drive you nuts... and special friends of all varieties. Christmas is about special foods that make you fat (and happy)! Christmas is about simple pleasures like fresh-fallen snow, tree ornaments, Bing Crosby (and Nat King Cole and so many others). Christmas is about lights, and poems, and touching stories of generosity and kindness. Christmas is about caroling, and blessing, and giving. Sure, giving gifts can be a huge blessing... but somehow, the beauty of Christmas has infected our culture with the curse and bondage of expectations out of control. Maybe our time is more valuable anything else?!

 

Somehow, I think Jesus had it right when he said that the most important thing we can do is love God and love our neighbor. Essentially, the Incarnation is the ultimate personification of that truth, right? For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son... the Son who loved God so much he did His will... and the Son who loved people so much he came to be the Way... Our Way, Truth and Life. Jesus didn't shop at Macy's or Wal-Mart... but that doesn't mean he wasn't utterly and completely generous. He gave us the ultimate gift of Emmanuel... and He invites us to celebrate the reason for the season... NOT by overwhelming our pocketbooks, but through obedience to the Father, and generosity to our neighbor.

I thank God for the gift of forced joy this Christmas. Circumstances have caused me and my family to look to Him more closely (rather than the things of this world)... and depend on Him more profoundly this season. Though none of us knows exactly where we're headed on this earthly journey...  disciples of Christ can know that they know that God is good... and that He cares about people as a Shepherd cares for His sheep. 

 

May you experience the joy of living as you learn to trust in His provision, fully and completely. Merry Christmas.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 

“ Glory to God in the highest, 

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”   - Luke 2:8-14