Christmas time can be the absolute greatest or worst holiday season. Although December 25th itself is important to and enjoyed by all Christians, the festivities and traditions surrounding this time can be loved, hated, or even both. Gift-giving provides a great example of this. For some, buying or making gifts for loved ones provides a chance to show love and go on an enjoyable shopping spree. But for others the pressure of finding the right gift for many people can make this quite stressful. One way to relieve this stress is to remember that God already personally gave the best gift, so anything we provide is just an added bonus.
Many Christmas festivities are celebrated by both those who believe in Christ and those who do not. Because of this, they can seem to some like a distraction from the reason behind the holiday. However, they can also serve as another opportunity to share the light. Going back to the example of gifts, giving them to non-Christian friends or family can be a way to transition to talking about the Gift. During my time in Turkey, events like cookie-decorating became chances to invite non-Christians to a more casual church event where they could get to know people and ask any questions they had. Although people can come to the church all year round, an opportunity to not only discover a foreign religion but to do it while also discovering new traditions or eating new foods tends to pique the interest of many.
This poem takes inspiration not only from Christmas traditions, but also from how they can connect to the Christmas story. Carols about the Christmas story can be an easy way to remember what the season is truly about. If the carol is catchy, one will dwell on its lyrics or story throughout the day. The lights on Christmas trees can remind those looking at them of the light that came into the world. The shining stars—whether on a tree, hanging on garlands, or even on windows—pay homage to the star that shone on the First Christmas. Though the foods themselves may not directly relate to the Christmas story, times of making and eating food with others become important opportunities to remember Christ together and provide encouragement. Lastly, as this introduction and the largest section in this poem focus on, gift-giving truly makes Christmas the holiday of remembering the best gift of all.
When the carols are playing
The fairy lights untangling
And mouths filled with ginger-snaps
The world wakes from its winter nap
As decorations shine bright
Friends laugh into the night
Remember the star
And those who came from oh so far
Chestnuts roasting over the fire
Spirits rise higher and higher
The best time of year
To tell all that will hear
That even if it’s busy or a bit stressful too
Christmas time is really a reminder of You
Who came as the best gift ever to be
The one and only, given wholly, God’s son
Remembered by, though not outdone
By those bought or made by me
Photo Credits: The Stone Family once upon a time (aka the author has forgotten when these were from)