How is Christmas supposed to feel?

[Pearl]

It's Advent but it doesn’t feel like Christmas yet. But how is Christmas supposed to feel? Perhaps it’s different for everybody.

I usually enjoy the peace and quiet later on Christmas Eve after it’s gone dark and all the shops have shut and the traffic on the road outside is down to a bare minimum, when the TV is showing ‘Carols From Kings’ and there is an air of anticipation. But what am I waiting for? Is it for what I hope Christmas day will bring in the way of gifts or is it for what I hope it will be like as I spend it with family.

I’ve been thinking about these things this morning and I think it must all be a pot-pouri of remembered feelings from right back over the years since I was a child.

Being without my tree and other Christmas trimmings last year has had the effect of making me think less about the preparations and more about Jesus and his place in my life:

• I don’t need fairy lights when I have the Light of the World.
• I don’t need evergreens to remind me of the hope of everlasting life in Christ.
• I don’t need chocolate when I can feed on the Bread of Life
• I don’t need booze when I can drink the New Wine or the Water of Life.
• I don’t need gifts when I already have the best gift of all – my new life in Christ.
• I don’t need fancy festive food when I can feast on the abundance of God’s house and drink from the river of delights.

I feel a true peace in my heart as I sit here and I hope you will all enjoy a peaceful and joyful Christmas however you spend it. And I hope the best gift you will receive is a new gift from God; perhaps a word of encouragement or a new insight or a greater awareness of his presence.

God bless.
Love, Pat xx

 

[thelord's_pearl]

I hope you have a Merry Christmas too, Pearl!

 

[L.A.M.B.]

It's Advent but it doesn’t feel like Christmas yet. But how is Christmas supposed to feel? Perhaps it’s different for everybody.

I usually enjoy the peace and quiet later on Christmas Eve after it’s gone dark and all the shops have shut and the traffic on the road outside is down to a bare minimum, when the TV is showing ‘Carols From Kings’ and there is an air of anticipation. But what am I waiting for? Is it for what I hope Christmas day will bring in the way of gifts or is it for what I hope it will be like as I spend it with family.

I’ve been thinking about these things this morning and I think it must all be a pot-pouri of remembered feelings from right back over the years since I was a child.

Being without my tree and other Christmas trimmings last year has had the effect of making me think less about the preparations and more about Jesus and his place in my life:

• I don’t need fairy lights when I have the Light of the World.
• I don’t need evergreens to remind me of the hope of everlasting life in Christ.
• I don’t need chocolate when I can feed on the Bread of Life
• I don’t need booze when I can drink the New Wine or the Water of Life.
• I don’t need gifts when I already have the best gift of all – my new life in Christ.
• I don’t need fancy festive food when I can feast on the abundance of God’s house and drink from the river of delights.

I feel a true peace in my heart as I sit here and I hope you will all enjoy a peaceful and joyful Christmas however you spend it. And I hope the best gift you will receive is a new gift from God; perhaps a word of encouragement or a new insight or a greater awareness of his presence.

God bless.
Love, Pat xx

Blessings Pat !

 

[Pearl]

I hope you have a Merry Christmas too, Pearl!

Thank you. I don't do the hassle any more. No tree for a couple of years now and no cards this year either as the price of stamps far exceeds the price of the cards - so only those I can give in person. And this year one of my grandaughters had the idea of buying presents for underprivileged and children from poorer families instead of each other. So that's what we've done. And no cooking either as we are going to one of my daughters for the day.

 

[Pearl]

Blessings Pat !
View attachment 27481

Oh how cute and cuddly they look.

 

[L.A.M.B.]

Great perspective on Christmas.

 

[L.A.M.B.]

Instead of a December 25, I try to give different gifts to my loved ones through out the year.
They are REALLY surprised then bc NO ONE expects to be the next recipient.

 

[Taken]

How is Christmas supposed to feel?​

OP ^

* I would say Christmas morning is time for a personal private somber serious reflection on Thankfulness unto the Lord God.
* Thereafter (our tradition) was to allow the kids to look thorough their Stockings while we prepared Breakfast.
* Thereafter sit for Breakfast together with a family prayer said aloud for our Glory to God and Thankfulness for sending His Word to us (Gentiles), that we being included in Gods Offering of Salvation and Quickening.
* The feeling? Thankfulness and inner Peace and Joy (regardless of the corruption, chaos and umpteen man-made crisis’ that plagues this world.)
* Thereafter gift giving (taking turns) and playing with the kids.


Glory to God,
Taken

 

[Pearl]

How is Christmas supposed to feel?​

OP ^

* I would say Christmas morning is time for a personal private somber serious reflection on Thankfulness unto the Lord God.
* Thereafter (our tradition) was to allow the kids to look thorough their Stockings while we prepared Breakfast.
* Thereafter sit for Breakfast together with a family prayer said aloud for our Glory to God and Thankfulness for sending His Word to us (Gentiles), that we being included in Gods Offering of Salvation and Quickening.
* The feeling? Thankfulness and inner Peace and Joy (regardless of the corruption, chaos and umpteen man-made crisis’ that plagues this world.)
* Thereafter gift giving (taking turns) and playing with the kids.


Glory to God,
Taken

Much like mine used to be when the children were small. And the lovely aromas coming from the kitchen wafting through the house.

 

[Hippie]

We know what Christmas is about. It's a time when everyone celebrates the birth of the Lord. We are thankful. A time when everyone gathers together with love peace happiness etc. But not everyone feels the same. We know what it's about, but we should not go by our feelings.

 

[Pearl]

We know what Christmas is about. It's a time when everyone celebrates the birth of the Lord. We are thankful. A time when everyone gathers together with love peace happiness etc. But not everyone feels the same. We know what it's about, but we should not go by our feelings.

Why should we not go by our feelings?

 

[thelord's_pearl]

Why should we not go by our feelings?

I think he's saying that even if we don't feel good on Christmas, we shouldn't go by our feelings which can be valid I guess. I feel nice on Christmas with the snow and lights and music.

 

[Hippie]

We shouldn't go by our feelings because feelings can be false. We know the truth we know what it's all about.

 

[Pearl]

I think he's saying that even if we don't feel good on Christmas, we shouldn't go by our feelings which can be valid I guess. I feel nice on Christmas with the snow and lights and music.

Christmas really isn't about snow or music or presents or turkey dinners or any other trapping - such as trees. To us as Christians it should probably feel holy, special because of the baby in the manger. But each one of our Christmases will have a different feel because we are all unique and will enjoy it in different ways.

These days though, it can stress people out because they want everything to be perfect and it never is like that, so it's best not to try too hard. Cut down on the hassle, don't take on too much , know your limitations and buy frozen veg if it's easier.

 

[Pearl]

We shouldn't go by our feelings because feelings can be false. We know the truth we know what it's all about.

I'm not sure I agree with your comment. If we know the truth our feelings can't be false.

 

[thelord's_pearl]

We shouldn't go by our feelings because feelings can be false. We know the truth we know what it's all about.

Yes we know he eventually died on the cross by evil people so we shouldn't go by our feelings on Christmas in that way but seeing Him/Jesus as our Lord and Savior is the bright side, that's why there are lights, music and a celebration

 

[amigo de christo]

Thank you. I don't do the hassle any more. No tree for a couple of years now and no cards this year either as the price of stamps far exceeds the price of the cards - so only those I can give in person. And this year one of my grandaughters had the idea of buying presents for underprivileged and children from poorer families instead of each other. So that's what we've done. And no cooking either as we are going to one of my daughters for the day.

How is christmas suposed to make us feel . Well i think a better question is
what if one feels good about the pagan pratices they put into christmas .
I have zero problems with the event itself . Its all the pagan and what so many make of it that i have a problem with .
What day JESUS was born on i know not . BUT if we want to remember it , the least we could do is the things that HONOR HIM
as we remember the birth . And paganism dont honor Him , nor does all this greed i see in it .
Christmas should be so simple . Honor CHRIST , even use it as an event to witness to others about him
But dont bring the pagan into it . cause that dont honor the FATHER and it dont Honor the SON .

 

[Hippie]

Yes the brightness, music, and the celebration all blends in together. We know what it's all about and we know it in our heart. Feelings could bring that joy from our heart in the wrong direction. We know the truth we should live by the truth cause the truth is not feeling. Show your joy and appreciation to the Lord from your heart. Not the false feelings

 

[Taken]

Christmas really isn't about snow or music or presents or turkey dinners or any other trapping - such as trees. To us as Christians it should probably feel holy, special because of the baby in the manger. But each one of our Christmases will have a different feel because we are all unique and will enjoy it in different ways.

These days though, it can stress people out because they want everything to be perfect and it never is like that, so it's best not to try too hard. Cut down on the hassle, don't take on too much , know your limitations and buy frozen veg if it's easier.

Yes it can be stressful, (or not). IMO, the stress amounts to the Hyper Worldly Commercial Presser. The TRAP...Yay, whoop, whoop people being “thankful for their pocket full of credit cards buying lavish gifts they can not afford, then worrying about the bills that will come due”. UGH!

Kids are older now, and sure we know their “circumstances” throughout the year and adjust holiday plans accordingly....who will host, gift giving, drawing names, or homemade gifts, or gifting “white elephant” all participate the same.

We have at times between my spouse and myself set a budget, bought our own gifts and on Christmas Day, the “surprise” is we open each other’s gifts. LOL.

“The TREE”.... I like it, as part of festive decorating. We typically decorate the tree per “themes” .... maybe decorated with toys from the kids preschool days, or the crafty decorations the kids made in elementary school, or kids school days photos in little frames, or army men and toys, or antique toys, or western, or stuffed animals, or with old Christmas cards, or all angels....etc.
Not sure what the “tree” is supposed to “mean”, but we sort use it moreso as reflections on memories and blessings.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[Hippie]

Very true it can be stressful for some as they remain thinking f things that happened to them in the past. Thinking what Christmas is all about is sometimes hard to do. Prayer to the Lord without doubting is one way that may help to change things as God works in mysterious ways.