The verse from Deck the Halls that declares, “Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la” is a familiar one. However, for some, the Christmas season may bring a mix of emotions or feelings that are not all jolly. While for most, the Christmas season brings feelings of joy, for others, it might bring sorrow remembering the losses of the past year, feelings of loneliness, or simply bad memories of past Christmas’.
The catchphrase “‘Tis the season” expresses our thoughts and feelings about everything that’s a part of the Christmas season. Used positively, we remember something we enjoy, such as lights and decorations, Christmas carols, or nativity scenes, to justify our pursuit. Used negatively, we say ‘tis the season with sarcasm to complain about something we don’t like about the holiday season, such as materialism or conflict at family gatherings.
And yet, from God’s perspective, these do not capture the reason for the season. Rather, it’s the season to focus on the joy that God gave the world through the child born in the manger. Or, as we may commonly declare, Jesus is the reason for the season. When I understand this, I am better equipped to navigate my negative feelings about the season.
While I love the statement that Jesus is the reason for the season, it can be misleading. How? By causing us to limit the season to Christmas. Jesus is not just the reason for the Christmas season; Jesus is the reason for All Seasons. If our Christmas celebrations are limited to celebrating the birth of Christ to the neglect of celebrating his life, death, and resurrection every day, we will miss out on the reason for the season.
How will understanding this help us during the holiday season? It will encourage us to have the “Christmas spirit” every day. This means being generous and using our time and talents to bless others every day. Only Scrooge would suggest that we be generous only once a year! Understanding this will help us avoid compartmentalizing our expressions of joy and generosity to only a certain season.
We say ‘tis the season at Christmas to remind ourselves of the wonderful God who has made this holiday season possible by sending his son. Declaring it at other times will make the traditional saying of ‘tis the season come alive for us.
Placing our faith in the hope that the Christ child brings enables us to rejoice with the angels regardless of the hurts or losses of the past, “Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among [the shepherds], and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:9–11).
This can be the ‘season to be jolly’ for those who are lonely as they remember the promise given to those who believe, knowing that in Christ, we are never alone. “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16–17) Likewise, those who associate Christmas with a bad experience in the past can fill the day with new meaning because of the living hope that the Christ child brings. Then we can not only be jolly but full of joy too.
The seasons that God gives us can inspire us to praise God, not for the season but for the hope that we remember in that season. As you look to the New Year, remember that the Lord is lord of all. Confessing this will allow you to face the new season with hope and assurance. We may be tempted to look to the New Year with fear or doubt, but instead, remember Daniel’s words, “He changes the times and seasons; he removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” (Daniel 2:21 )
We can be confident that God will answer us when we seek him. At all times and in all circumstances, we can declare, “Tis The Season To Be Jolly,” not because of the season but because of Christ.
Comments