From the moment I stepped through the door of ministry my view on the holidays changed.
Thanksgiving became about navigating phone calls from families who wanted to drop off an extra turkey and from families who needed a turkey. Christmas became a sprint to take care of others. There were children who needed toys, families who needed a meal, and hurting people who needed an extra dose of compassion and love. I never realized I could so easily lose sight of Christ in a time of year when I talked about him so much. One year when my children were toddlers, I drove around on Christmas Eve searching for a tree with my husband while sobbing about how I had been so busy making sure everyone else had a wonderful Christmas that my own kids got lost in the shuffle.
Maybe you have a similar experience.
What can we ministry leaders do to take back the holidays and find joy—and balance—in giving?
Seek Christ before, during, and after the holidays.
No brainer right? Still I think we can forget this time of year should be an extension of an everyday relationship. Jesus doesn’t get pushed aside when we have purposed to be with him during the “non” holidays. These times are merely steps along our journey with Him.
Remember why you give.
This time of year is often when the distress of others bubbles to the surface. And it can come out in ugly ways.
“I thought you were a Christian,” has been said to me on more than one occasion when I didn’t give in the way someone in my ministry desired. If I think giving is primarily about me or even primarily about other people, then I can get really angry at this attitude.
Instead, I have to remember that I give because of the gift of Christ. I give because Jesus gave his life extravagantly. I give because he loved me first.
Be creative.
Find some things in this season that bring you joy. Make some choices that help you remember why this is a great time of year. Do you fry your turkey? Do you have an Advent devotional? Are you a Christmas Carol fanatic? What works for your family to celebrate the holidays and remember the Lord in the midst of it all?
10 Minutes a Day
Find 10 minutes every day to stop. During those 10 minutes, slow down purposely and be quiet. Breathe deeply, and take a few moments to sit and think only about Christ. Tell him why you are always thankful for everything he is.
Make time for those you love.
We can get so busy serving others that we forget the people closest to us. Our goal can become “just get through this time.” Don’t forget about the people you love most! Make 5 minutes for the friends and family you want to embrace this season. Don’t let them be “one more thing to do” on your list.
What do you do to take this time back?
No one expects you to implode under the weight of what must be done. The Lord just wants you to be his. He doesn’t ask you to save anyone. It’s OK to take back the holidays and approach giving from a more balanced perspective.
Most of all, remember this: The holiday season isn’t the only time of year Jesus shows up. So seek him always.