Christmas Before Thanksgiving?

There are two kinds of people in this world. Two. There are those who dive into all things Christmas as soon as halloween passes and the weather turns crisp, and there are those who are normal. Two kinds, my friends. There are two kinds of people.

I do salute the enthusiasm of those whose trees are lit by November. I’m not usually a “Christmas Before Thanksgiving” kind of person, but as a music director, I’ve found my Christmas carol listening is a necessity early on. When this happens, I tell no one of the winter tales making their way through my ear buds, and I excuse my early caving as necessity. As one who puts off all things Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving, I do feel a little scandalous listening to an arrangement of “Silent Night” in September, but when the planning is finished, the Christmas spirit takes a back seat and is not allowed to make its presence known again until after Thanksgiving. Because I’m simply not a “Christmas until after Thanksgiving” kind of person.

But something changed this fall.

While I administered a little constraint by not decorating our entire house until the day after Turkey Day, I admit that I willingly relished in Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I started going through Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. I have even played carols unabashedly at full volume with other members of the household present (though this was quickly shut down by my children. I suppose they inherited some sense of normalcy).

I don’t know what overcame me, and while I’ve not officially joined the other “side,” I have now peaked into what this other group experiences in extending the Christmas season, and I have to admit: I kind of like it.

BLURRED VISION

No matter when you lift the Christmas embargo, it’s easy to place high expectations on what this season will look like and feel like: all the family members getting along, the perfect Christmas presents picked out for every child, sickness staying at bay, and the Christmas roast cooked to perfection.

When these expectations became the main focus, our vision becomes blurred to the true reason we celebrate. If Christmas becomes mostly about a perfect tree, a stress-free family get together, or the most creative place for the “Elf On The Shelf,” then we’ve lost sight of it’s real beauty and have opened the door for disappointment and frustration when the holiday doesn’t go just right. These little blessings are mere side effects of a season in which we have the opportunity to relish in the magnificence of Jesus.

John 1:14 says: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

SEE THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE INCARNATION

These words from John 1 are familiar to many, and yet we have too easily forgotten their weight and beauty. All of God’s grace and truth are revealed in the glory of the incarnation which is God, the infinite, omniscient, creator of the universe, becoming man while still remaining fully God. And not only did God take on flesh, but He chose to dwell among us. He lived as we live, He felt the pain that we do and experienced the suffering that this life brings. Jesus shed tears, and He was touched by happiness all while remaining God.

How can this be?

I don’t know. Fully understanding the mystery of the incarnation is not something that will happen this side of heaven, but I know it’s true because I have experienced the peace that comes from a comforting Savior who understands loneliness. I know it’s true because I can take my burdens to an all-powerful God who also understands anxious thoughts; Jesus himself sweat drops of blood anticipating the cross. The One who controls the seas and skies confined Himself to our time and space in order that we might experience His grace, His peace, and His glory. This is worthy of our celebration whether we start before Thanksgiving or after.

Don’t miss the real splendor of this season by allowing petty annoyances or “to do” lists to cloud the greatness of what Jesus did for you. Seek to find the peace and joy that comes in seeing more clearly than ever before the awe-filled story told in Scripture. See the beauty of the dirty manger where Christ was laid, and see the profound love that was shown when Jesus became flesh and dwelt among His people.   

The truth is, this reality is worthy of our celebration today, tomorrow, and everyday to come.