deck the halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la. Boy, that’s a lot of las. As I pondered these well-known words to this familiar tune I couldn’t help thinking about what “‘tis the season” really means.

Like ‘tis the season to be grumpy because your kids are bouncing off the walls.

Or ‘tis the season to be impatient in that long line at the store.

Or grouchy because you stayed up late making those special Christmas cookies.

Or testy because you’ve gone to four stores only to find that the gift you want for your child is sold out.

Or heartbroken watching, waiting as a loved one lies on their death bed.

Or disappointed because dog-gone-it you didn’t get the slippers you wanted from your husband who seems to screw that up every year.

Or worn out because of all the baking, and shopping, and wrapping and giving.

Or just plain tired, and, as you finish all the important things about Christmas that really didn’t make you happy, you wonder why you’re not more jolly. Why it seems that all the joy of Christmas has been sucked out of the season, leaving you feeling deflated, tired, angry, sad. ‘Tis the season to be jolly? Hmmmm, for many of us, not so much.

I thought about this season, this season of love, of giving, of cherishing and I thought to myself, ‘I could identify more with the grumpy, or tired, or busy fa la las. Really, is this what Christmas is truly all about?  Today, I was reflecting back on Thanksgiving and wondering why it is that we take two of the most important holidays, giving thanks to God and celebrating our Savior’s birth, and ruin them, absolutely ruin them by letting other stuff fill up our hearts, our souls, our lives. I can’t help but think that the Devil takes great pleasure in turning our hearts toward everything but the most important parts of these holidays.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. ‘Oh great another lecture concerning what this season should really be about – worshipping our Lord and Savior, Jesus.’ But you know what I think God wants even more than our worship or our accolades of praise?  I think he wants our attention, our affection, our thankful hearts- peaceful and quiet and filled with his love.

Remember the story of Mary and Martha? Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus learning from him while well intentioned Martha hurried around trying to prepare a meal for her Friend.  But if you read the story you’ll realize that what Jesus really wanted from Martha was her attention. He wanted to teach her. He wanted to give her some focus, some perspective. ‘Mary has chosen what is better,’ he told Martha, ‘and it will not be taken away from her.’

What are you choosing this Christmas? The things of this world – they won’t last, but the true reason for the season, Jesus, and his love for us, will. So if your heart is feeling a little empty, a little less jolly then you’d like, take a cue from Mary. Sit at Jesus feet and let him fill you with his love. Then, no matter how you deck the halls, you’ll be doing it with just the kind of heart you long for, the kind of heart you’re meant to have – a jolly one.