Last night, we went to the theatre to watch the new movie, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” When I worked with 4th graders at Oak Hill Elementary, the reading teacher had the kids read the book. Then we took them to a stage performance of it for a field trip. This movie, however, was my favorite version so far! I recommend it this Christmas season for you and your kids.
The storyline hit on some of my recent thoughts and prayers. With the holidays coming, I was not only excited to share, but also, hoping that someone could really benefit from this nudge forward. So, as Thanksgiving approaches with Christmas on its tails (or catching up and passing in some ways), the holiday spirit is here!! I have already had my family Thanksgiving dinner; my little shop is undergoing its first-time Christmas transformation; and my house is moving toward the same. And— I. Am. Excited!
First, a brief overview of the movie…
The town’s Christmas pageant is a huge deal. The 75th anniversary of it is coming up. The usual director of the pageant was in an accident beforehand, so a stay-at-home mom steps up…first trying to prove herself, but then has a bit of a change of heart as the story progresses. The child-rebels of the town decide to come to church for the purpose of getting free treats; but then volunteer to participate in the main parts of the pageant…Mary, Joseph, the angel of the Lord, the shepherds, and the wise men. All of the other children are afraid to oppose them. Many of the town members, and especially the busy-body moms, are entirely in an uproar over this change of tradition…their kids aren’t the stars, and these new kids may destroy the play.
As the movie progresses, the new director realizes that these kids are thirsty to understand the Christmas story and does her best to not only teach them, but include them, and show them the true meaning of Christmas…letting go of the expectations of how the pageant should play out; her reputation when she goes against the norm; and the holidays’ past reputation. Sorry, but I’ll let you watch (or read the book) to see how the story ends!
As I mentioned earlier, we already had our Thanksgiving dinner this year. To have it quite this early is a change from our past Thanksgivings. Thanksgiving has not always been the same set thing for us, but some aspects of it have been…sharing a turkey dinner with favorite side dishes and desserts with family has been a norm. Sometimes the location and time of day has changed, but in recent years, the decision was made to have ours a day other than Thanksgiving in order to help my kids and their in-laws. Thus, the change to earlier in the season.
I love Thanksgiving, but this year’s preparation is what led me to these thoughts and this article. When I am preparing a big meal for several family members and friends, I know that timing is everything. The food is usually prepared in a fairly timely manner, but my questioning of getting it finished on time haunts me at times. In the past, I have not always been fully prepared when guests began arriving. When trying to pull together the last few details, it’s not always easy to have the anticipated holiday conversations and continue the preparations…to put it mildly. Although I love my kitchen, it is extremely tiny, not allowing comfortable work space for more than two. There have been a few instances where the remaining things to do, combined with arrivals, have wreaked havoc in my soul! (Insert sweat face!) So, the “ghosts of Thanksgivings past” kind of multiplied in the sense of worrying about repeats; especially in the last few years, that in and of themselves had been more challenging and stressful due to the passing of my parents and events leading up to that, affecting every aspect of our lives.
So, this year, working to make adjustments and learn from the past; to move forward and progress, I made a few changes in advance; applying what I have learned, not only from holidays past, but also, from this entire year, prioritizing and making adjustments in my time management. When I felt the stress even begin to creep in, even a smidge, I prayed and believed. By the time the food was ready, I had a few minutes to set down before the guests arrived (another answered prayer). I did have help from Mackenzie and Steve which was a blessing. [And, I always have help from family with several side dishes!]
After cleaning up over a couple of days, I have been ready to actually start the process of Christmas decorating…earlier than ever in my life. However, the “ghosts of Christmases past” began to barely creep in, in the sense of repeating “excitement-turned-to-anxiety” in some instances. You see, for me, for Christmas, I get excited about ideas upon ideas! Then I get a smidge anxious about executing them…knowing full well that I won’t be able to carry out all of them. This year, I hit the floor in my prayer room, capturing those thoughts in advance and taking them to Jesus.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.10.3-5.ESV
I asked Him to help me in advance to know what ideas to pursue, basically, and what ideas to know aren’t for me to do this season. My new shop will need attention, which is exciting, but I must be realistic about the time that will need to be invested. I have already planned ahead, consulting The Father, but still needed to lay a few things out before Him. The thing I want to emphasize is that God is able to help with every detail.
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Psalms 37:23 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.37.23.NLT
This year alone, God has amazed me with how many prayers He has answered. Time and again, I prayed and saw results…felt results that were no doubt in regard to my prayers. In my article earlier this year entitled, “Two Months In,” I mention how God helped me to see that my faith was weak, at times, when I pray. It was a little surprising—and convicting, but I am so thankful for the eye-opener. So after that revelation, and as 2024 marched forward, I began to ask and try to better believe. Wow! I am amazed by what He has taught and revealed, and by what He has answered. I say that to say this…
Don’t let the “ghosts of holidays past” be the influences that take you down a negative path this season. Even if it is a simple feeling of dread. Seek God and ask Him to reveal the underlying source of that dread. Remember that, because something has always been a certain way…or even has been “a way” a time or two, doesn’t mean it always has to be. I truly believe that Satan would love nothing more than to steal our joy at any time, but especially around times of joyous celebration, perhaps…causing chaos within, and with others, if possible.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10 ESV [~Jesus]
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.10.10.ESV
Traditions can be good, but just as in the case of the pageant in the movie, they can also become a weight and a distraction from what is really important if we aren’t a little (or a lot) guarded. Seek The Holy Spirit’s guidance this season, and let Him be your guide to what to pursue and what to lay aside. May we both savor this holiday season with delight in the birth of Jesus, and the joy it can bring for all…and a celebration of letting go and moving forward.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
Hebrews 12:1 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/heb.12.1.ESV
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/php.3.13-14.NLT
Simply Celebrate With Jackie 