You Just Can’t Make too Much of Christmas.

The above nativity set is old and a bit chipped, but the years and imperfections have made it priceless with memories. We had bought our second house; my husband had been promoted, and we were moving up, but still we had to count our pennies. I bought a nativity set kit from Herrschners. Do any of you remember them? They used to have a catalog that would arrive in my mailbox, and I would snatch it up and pursue it in the same manner back in those days that we did the Christmas catalogs. I spent evenings that Christmas season painting the cheap gypsum figurines. My husband sawed wood from a used pallet and made the stable, gathered dried grass stems from the nearby field to glue over the top.

At the time and for years, I harbored the intention to get a ‘quality’ nativity set, but we never did, because this one had made it into our hearts. From the beginning my small son would rearrange the figures, and later so did our grandson. Yes, one of the magi got broken, but he was glued back together, and the break forgotten. Now there are no children to rearrange the figures, but I remember all surrounding this humble set, and joy warms me.

Back when I purchased the set, we could probably have been more practical to have paid a bill, or more generous to drop the money in the church plate. And maybe I would have been more dedicated to spend the painting time studying the Bible or in prayer. Yet, in following my heart at that point in my journey, I expressed my faith and love in God and in life. I believe God smiled then and still does. I believe He ‘Who knows the ending from the beginning’ knew all the lessons I would learn along the way with this humble nativity set and how memories with it would warm and cheer me now.

Recently I was told of a person who felt there should not be so much decorating, gifts, or festivities for Christmas. This argument has likely been going on since the beginning of people celebrating Christ’s birth. I laughed out loud when I read this quote from C. S. Lewis:

“Who has not heard the wail of despair, and indeed of resentment, when, at the last moment, just as everyone hoped that the nuisance was over for one more year, the unwanted gift from Mrs. Busy (whom we hardly remember) flops unwelcomed through the letterbox, and back to the dreadful shops one of us has to go.” (C. S. Lewis, What Christmas Means to Me.)

C. S. Lewis was in the camp of disliking all the festivities and hullabaloo made over Christmas.

The past week I listened to a discussion about the commercialism of Christmas, and an older, experienced pastor (from Mississippi with a wonderful accent) ended that short discussion with this statement: “You just can’t make too much of Christmas.”

Also from the great C. S. Lewis:

Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world

C. S. Lewis, The Last Battle

How do you make too much of that?

I say it isn’t what you do but why you do it.

I’m going for the joy exploding in my heart. I’m finding myself making changes this year, less extravagant gifts, no tree–yes, no tinsel, sigh–but creating more with ribbon and sparkling things, getting out the paper and colorful pens, yet more quiet reflection, more paying attention to listening for joy. It is joy which kindles faith and hope to get one through this life.

And above all giving thanks. I’m certainly thankful for all who enjoy going over the top in decorating. Seeing lights, trees, ribbons lifts my heart to flying.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13 ESV

Merry Christmas, dear hearts! Enjoy your fabulous selves with all the joy of the season!

---