It happens to the best of us. Whether you are a Believer [or not], there always seems to be repercussions that come from the Christmas season. And they can cover a wide array of emotions and thoughts. If, to you, this season is all about the material, physical, and emotional sensations of this world -- the bright lights, the joy of being with family and friends, the temporary sense of harmony in our midst, and the "stuff" we are going to accumulate -- then we can be assured that when all that "magic" has passed, that our return to the norm will be disappointing.
Even, as a devoted Christian, the aftermath of being wrapped in an atmosphere of adoration for the birth of our Savior comes with the sober realization that the world hasn't changed; we are still stuck in the chaos and discord of this earthly realm. And that letdown can be devastating to those who don't center themselves in the Light of the Lord Jesus.
[NOTE: And this restlessness is above and beyond the question of the truth about the authenticity of the Christmas holiday; about whether Christians should be celebrating it as a religious holiday; and the conflict that arises over its commercialization and worldly value. All that is a separate conversation and not relevant to this discussion].
First, and to be honest, I understand the disappointment and disillusionment. As humans, we've been able to manufacture our own hopes for this season; that the joy and harmony that suddenly manifests will continue into the new year and we can manage to hang onto the heady and exhilarating feelings that "all is right with the world". Then comes the consciousness that the world and man is still fallen, and the recognition that it is up to us to overcome the spiritual malaise [the melancholy, the disquiet, and the depression] that can set in when real life returns.
Personally, the celebration of the Christmas season has become a time of reflection that removes me from so much of the superficiality and shallowness that surrounds the festivities associated with the holiday. Thirteen years ago, on Christmas Eve, my husband and I witnessed the death of the son of beloved friends. This young man was so full of life and promise, even though he lived with a defective heart that was predicted not to last. Even though he had survived years beyond the doctors' prognoses, we all knew it was a matter of time; the signs were there that his heart was failing. But that did nothing to alleviate the overwhelming grief that accompanied his passing. Then God did a miraculous thing. A scheduled YouTube video that the young man had made prior to Christmas Eve [without anyone's knowledge] appeared and gave his life's testimony and his belief in God and angels, and it received over 5 million views in a matter of a couple of days. People from around the world renewed their faith, and others accepted Christ as their Savior for the first time! God used this indescribable tragedy in our lives to shine His Light into a world that was turning dark.
Then, again, on Christmas Day this year, I lost a dear family member; a man who, in my childhood, had represented the handsome prince who stole the heart of my older cousin, a beautiful princess, in my eyes. They epitomized everything a strong, faithful, and loving marriage was meant to be. She has always been my protector and my source of encouragement. But she died a few years ago, and then on this Christmas Day, her husband, who had taken over her role of loving me as she did, went Home to be with her. I wept for my loss, but cheered in jubilation that he was now in the loving arms of His Savior and beloved wife.
These kinds of events happen the world over during the Christmas season and send millions of people into the depths of despair and hopelessness once presents have all been opened and the trees adorned with colorful balls and twinkling lights are taken down. If you don't understand that Christmas, in and of itself, is not the answer to your happiness, comfort, security, prosperity, and well-being ... and that God sent "the reason for the season" to pay the price we owe Him for our sins, then you don't really know the Father's heart. He never asked for, nor ordained, a day to be set aside to celebrate His son's birthday. I am not saying the Lord is not worthy of such a celebration, and I certainly honor the birth of the Holy Child, sent to redeem us. I'm just saying that God's Holy days are clearly specified in His Word, and perhaps man has made this holiday more about himself.
I also understand that the Christmas letdown has spiritual overtones. Satan loves it when he is able to assign a deceptive interpretation to cover any godly or sacred attribute of this holiday. But we must not let the spiritual forces in this realm overcome our acknowledgement of God's purpose for the Christ child. Did you know that there is a very real spiritual god of Winter? His name is Typhon and his goal is to bring coldness and lack of warmth to your life; to make you feel as if your life is becoming frozen, fractured, shattered, and falling to pieces... many of the emotions and thoughts that follow the Christmas letdown. If that describes you, I encourage you to let Malachi 4:2 speak to your heart, But for you who fear My name [with awe-filled reverence], the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap [joyfully] like calves released from the stall.
I would also suggest that you do not isolate yourself if you are feeling spiritually oppressed. That's another of Satan's tactics. If we remain secluded in our misery and melancholy, it gives our Enemy ample time and ammunition to get us to focus inward on our thoughts and feelings about the anticlimax of Christmas. Seek out people who you know remain centered on Jesus in their lives. Share your situation and ask how they overcome the weight of the world that has now overshadowed your joy. And, above all else, seek some alone time with Jesus! Let Him lead you to new sources of joy, peace, and harmony. Remember, as a man, He, too, suffered moments of discouragement and feeling like He was facing insurmountable odds. Let Him absolve you of your anxieties and show you that He makes all things possible -- if we are willing to partake of His source of Light and Life. We must be active in our own pursuit of recovered contentment and joy.
When we allow ourselves to become mired in the wintry wilderness of discontent and disenchantment, we cannot hear Him saying, "Follow Me!", and we then become stuck and bogged down in our misery. But when we seek and listen for His voice, and respond by following His commands, we learn that He will take on those feelings of insecurity, sadness, and despondency, and deliver us into a realm where we can receive His covenant of Grace (which includes the power of the Holy Spirit in us to help us do what we cannot do on our own), with all the blessings and promises that accompany it.
So, be intentional about coming out of your doldrums of dejection and melancholy. Till up the frozen ground of disappointment and plant new fields of hope and trust that the Lord can renew your spirit and restore you to new heights of joy, harmony, and peace on earth, good will towards men. It really can feel like Christmas every day if you will let Him show you the way.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
