The Excitment and STRESS of Christmas!

Over the years, I’ve had people tell me they don’t really like the Christmas season for they find it too stressful. And I understand. It’s true that with all the planning, the shopping and decorating, baking and cooking, etc. the Christmas season can become quite stressful. There is the build up to that one day filled with, unfortunately, often unmet expectations. And there is the juggling of already busy schedules as we try to get everything done. Thus, I’m not surprised when I hear people complain about the stress of Christmas. 

I fully understand. In spite of the fact that I really do love the excitement of Christmas—the  glow of the Christmas tree in our living room, the houses decorated in lights, Kim’s cookies and breads, the exchanging of gifts and the pouring out of the stockings, just to name a few things—I can get really stressed out by Christmas.  After all, I’m juggling the preparations for both our home and for the church at the same time. I’m thinking about the way we will celebrate with our family and all that entails; I want things to be just right for my kids, their spouses, and now our grandsons. At the same time, my mind is constantly on what will be taking place in our church services and events; I want things to be just right for our congregation. Thus, I often feel myself becoming stressed by the season. I’m often caught between the excitement and stress of Christmas. 

If you think about it, however, that’s exactly the way it was on the first Christmas. The birth of Jesus was filled with all kinds of excitement as Mary and Joseph, like any other expecting parents, anticipated the birth of their firstborn. Add to that the excitement of knowing that this son to be born was not just another baby, but one conceived by supernatural means and for divine purposes. There was the excitement of angels showing up to the shepherds and the shepherds finding the baby just as they had been told. And there was the excitement of the Magi as they looked up into the sky and saw a star that told them of the birth of king in Judea—and then followed that star to him. 

Yes, lots of excitement…but also lots of stress. Can you imagine how stressful it was for Mary and Joseph as they considered the great responsibility that had been given by God to raise this child he was giving to them? Add to that the stress of having to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem—a 90 mile journey that took them about four days by foot—and so late in the pregnancy. Then they get to Bethlehem and there is no room for them in the inn! Talk about stress! If you ask me, their stress makes ours seem quite minimal. After all, they were giving birth the Son of God in a stable; we’re stressed by the baking of cookies and wrapping of gifts!

In the end, however, all the excitement and stress built up to the most incredible moment in history: the birth of the One who came to be our Savior, Jesus! By the time it was all done, the world had been given the most beautiful and wonderful gift of all—and that by the hand of God himself. It’s no wonder we celebrate this very, very special day. 

This Christmas, let’s remember that all the excitement and stress of the season is well worth it. In the end, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Savior, the One who came to save us from our sins. 

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 – NIV) 

Have a great day! And, Merry Christmas 

- Pastor Tim Harris