But Joy Cometh in the Morning... Life Beyond Mourning.: Breaking the Christmas Fast

When we were first married, we loved to decorate for Christmas. I had picked out this very elegant theme of cream and burgundy with strands of fake pearls, gorgeous golden crosses, and numerous lighted angels. I'd never been much of a fan of Santa Claus, elves, or the "North Pole" it always seemed to detract too much the "real meaning" of Christmas. We tried to keep our focus on Christ. The whole family participated in the local living nativity story. We even decorated a Birthday cake for Jesus each year.

But then many years ago (I think it happened somewhere around the time of the birth of our first daughter), we began to question the meaning behind all the traditions. We were told that the true December 25th holiday was first celebrated by Pagans not Christians; they called it Yule. The Christmas tree too was supposed to have originated from the pagans. The beautiful "angels" on the tree didn't really resemble the angels described in the Bible at all.

And so after studying the history of Christmas and its traditions, we decided it was best not to celebrate it any more. Yes we still gathered with the extended family on Christmas day, and we still sang the Christmas hymns at church, but we stopped decorating, we stopped giving gifts, and we stopped celebrating.

Several times since then my dear husband has briefly mentioned considering ending this Christmas fast. I have always been very reluctant and honestly probably tried to ignore the notion. I wanted no part in this PAGAN holiday.

This year was different though. It wasn't a discussion and it wasn't up for consideration. My husband said he wanted to get a tree, and (so for once) I finally got behind the idea. He wanted to make this Christmas a Christmas to remember filled with lots of family time and fun together. And so this year we are CELEBRATING and our house has never looked more festive. We have made cinnamon applesauce ornaments, popcorn cranberry garland, gorgeous wreaths, and even numerous jingle bells.

I am so thankful that my husband is wiser than I am. I am also very thankful for all the celebration and the decorations. I am thankful for all the memories we are making with the children.

So instead of figuratively saying BA HUMBUG; this year we are proclaiming Merry Christmas CHRIST IS BORN! And in the process we are living out the chief end of man by glorifying God and enjoying him forever.