Empty Christmas Season

​This year, it appears as though the Christmas Season has been pushed onto society. Throughout the sales market, Christmas-themed products were pushed before the season started. Additionally, community events were long announced through many organizations as well as members of the city government. Yet for me, it has been an empty season; superficial, little to do with the “real” Christmas Season.

In my observations, I have seen some store workers go through the routine of stocking shelves, working the few check-out counters that exist now, and filling online orders through in-store shoppers. I have observed little joy or heart in what they do. Some of the workers have briefly shared with me the long hours and split schedules that they have to endure to fill their net hours per week. Others have briefly shared their weariness from doing their job; diminished spirits, per se. It is almost as though the spirit of the “real” Christmas Season has been quenched even among the workers of commercialism.  

In so many ways, I can relate to many of these people. Although I have tried, my heart has not been into the Christmas Season this year. At the superficial level, I have watched Christmas-themed movies, listened to songs, as well as eaten diverse foods. At a deeper level, I have revisited the Nativity Story through scripture, biblical teachings, faith-based movies, documentaries, and literature. Yet I have continued to find myself empty and wanting to fill that void with the “real” spirit of the Christmas Season.

Although I am still struggling to fill the void, I cannot deny that the “real” Christmas Season is about Jesus. Jesus is the center of the “real” Christmas Season. Jesus is the physical manifestation of God with His creation. Jesus is the Savior during His Earthly time as well as our time. Jesus continues to be the Deliverer from the bondage of sin for all people who accept Him as both Lord and Savior. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and life” that escorts believers unto God the Father. Jesus is the “Light of the World”. He has shined bright throughout time and many cultures.   

It has been a few weeks since I wrote about my observations. a few days ago, I read through an old social media post of mine that read: Dec. 2015 - - "Don't wait till Christmas to be the Christmas that people can witness. Tell someone Merry Christmas, give them a Christmas card (with a special message inside), help someone load a big load to their vehicle, open and hold a door at a store so that a person can go by ahead of you. Let us humble ourselves and allow people to witness less of us and more of Christ Jesus ... after all, it is His season and upcoming celebrated birthday!"

I took action with these words. I did some of the things that I listed. I also did a few more. All and all I received a positive response from everyone. Sometimes you just have to do something to help others so that the emptiness that you hold begins to be filled with the right stuff. 

Let Us Pray. God, You who are great and grand, I want to say thank you for sending the gift of Jesus to people for all time. I am grateful for those that have received Him as Lord and Savior and I ask that you open the hearts of all those that know they need Him and have yet to accept Him as such. Although I may feel empty at times, I continue to put my trust in Jesus to minister to my heart and lead me towards the steps I need to take to fill the void. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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