8 comments

Dawn Wilson

From Holi-Dazed to Holy Day

Posted on 12.03.09 by Dawn Wilson
Topics: Homefront

My husband and I met for lunch to discuss all the events, shopping, gatherings, baking, decorating, and needs of the Christmas season. I think he observed me holiday stressone day as my eyes glazed over while I looked at our packed holiday calendar, and he decided it was time for a major planning meeting in the back corner of Applebee's—or perhaps he just wanted some barbeque ribs. Regardless, after the meeting my over-the-top "holi-daze" was gone.

I had lists and ideas and a firm budget. I had a step-by-step path to the "perfect" Christmas.

In the week that followed, what I didn't have was the heart to go with it. There was still something missing. My emotions ranged from stress and anxiety to discontent and anger. I approached December sounding a bit like Paul Revere: "Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! Get with the program, people!"

Part of my stress came from gift-buying. We have so much available in this country—an abundance of things to buy. We may feel pressured to find the perfect gift for a loved one or create a perfect meal. (Note to self: There is nothing perfect this side of heaven!) I've often longed for simpler days when children were thrilled to get a fresh orange in the toe of a Christmas stocking. And how refreshing it would be if we could be content to just be together—as my sweet Grandma Parks said, "That's all the gift I need."

A real turning point came for me when I changed the word "holiday" into "holy-day." When I remember that Christmas is the day Jesus broke through the barrier that separates heaven and earth to create a bridge for us to have eternal life, it doesn't remove the busyness of the season, but it does restore perspective (Isa. 59:2; John 10:10; Rom. 5:1; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 5:8). When I sanctify Christmas in my heart, I set it apart as holy and precious. I focus more on spiritual activities. I look for opportunities to tell my granddaughters about the reason for the season. I open my personal hymn book and read and sing the carols with fresh insight. I gaze at the Nativity scene on my buffet and weep that Jesus came to set me free.

Yes, Christmas is a time for family, yummy cookies, a gorgeous tree, caroling, and colorfully wrapped gifts, but it is also the time when all believers remember the Son who came in obedience to the Father so we could enjoy the blessing of adoption into the family of God. Christmas is all about Him, not us. Converting from holi-dazed to the blessings of the holy-day alters everything, because my heart is changed.

How about you? What stresses you the most during this time of year? How has God changed your perspective?

Comments

  1. Dear Dawn:

    Thank you so much for your post. I really do love this time of year, but like you, I find myself getting stressed just because of the extra demand on my time this season requires. I'm active in the music ministry of my church, so we will have extra practices for our Cantata, as well as for the Christmas Eve service; there is the gift-planning, card sending, gift wrapping, etc. that can be draining---if we let it! For our Cantata this year, we are required to sing more songs from memory, which requires more time to learn it! At times it got a little wearying, but the Lord reminded me that this was for Him, not me, and when I lift it up as an act of worship, then my focus gets off of me and onto the Lord, where it belongs.

    I have a little calendar on my nightstand, and today's Scripture verse was Jn. 15:4--"Remain in me, and I will remain in you." The author of my calendar, B.J. Hoff,
    writes this:

    "Lord, keep me in the quiet...Help me to realize that attempting to abide in you while racing through my days in a series of programmed activities and Christianized hassle gets me nowhere but to the end of my rope...Teach me to take time to be and to abide."

    I think that's a wonderful prayer! I also like your idea of singing through the carols. Better yet, sometimes it's best to read through them first, and let the meaning sink in, then sing them to the Lord! Thank you, again, for your post!
    posted by Arlene
    on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 3:39 pm
  2. Dear Dawn,

    Would it be possible to feature this article on our Harvest Ministry website - as a focus on establishing a more MISSION-MINDED Christmas? Becoming God-focused and realize that it is a HOLY time to worship and exalt Jesus is one of the first steps. We take it one step further - to focus on God's Great Commission - and sharing the Gospel with others, so they can GLORIFY His name too.

    Please let me know if it would be okay to copy your article on our website!

    Thanks!
    Ann Dunagan

    P.S. I really appreciate TrueWoman and Nancy Leigh DeMoss's wonderful books and ministry. It was an honor this past year to meet Nancy at FamilyLife, and to record a few Revive Our Heart broadcasts with her about my book, The Mission-Minded Family.
    http://harvestministry.org
    posted by Ann Dunagan
    on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 4:31 pm
  3. Thank you, Arlene. It sounds like you have the right perspective and a deep desire to keep the focus on Christ in Christmas. And I love your words about abiding in Christ. A precious pastor puts it this way ... "Everything flows from the presence of God." ~ Bill Elliff. I've found that so true, and not only at this season of the year! Bless you!
    http://heartchoicestoday.blogspot.com
    posted by Dawn Wilson
    on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 11:17 pm
  4. Ann, I don't have any problem with you reprinting the blog article--I am glad that you want to use it--but let me check with Paula tomorrow first, before you move ahead. [PS - I checked out your website and was blessed by the content!]
    http://heartchoicestoday.blogspot.com
    posted by Dawn Wilson
    on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 11:37 pm
  5. Ann, yes you have permission to reprint, with proper crediting to truewoman.com -- perhaps even linking. I hope it will encourage others!
    http://heartchoicestoday.blogspot.com
    posted by Dawn Wilson
    on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 12:35 pm
  6. Thank you Dawn, and to everyone at TrueWoman.com, and Revive Our Hearts!

    This wonderful article is now featured in our "Mission-Minded Christmas" series at <a href="http://harvestministry.org/christmas-3">harvestministry.org</a>, with links and credits back to this page.

    God bless you!!!
    Ann
    http://harvestministry.org
    posted by Ann Dunagan
    on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 5:40 pm
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    posted by rajan
    on Friday, December 18, 2009 at 7:29 am
  8. I am reading this after - the - fact, but will make a note for next year. Just a change in word really does result in a mental change of focus. I love it. Be blessed because your words were a blessing to me. :Denise
    posted by Denise Bennett
    on Friday, January 15, 2010 at 9:23 am

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