Staying Home For Christmas 

Several years ago we made a choice to stay home for Christmas. My kids requested it. It was a tough choice for me. For the past 20 plus years we have been driving from Iowa to Maryland and West Virginia to see family. It’s just what we do. Or did. 

Then 2020 hit and we were at home again, but not by choice. We had plans to travel. Those plans changed and we spent Christmas at home. Again. 

My first response was sadness. Grief. Grieving the loss of seeing family and continuing Christmas traditions.

I was also frustrated. Planning our trip had been stressful. Picking dates that were agreeable to all was a challenge. It used to be easy. The kids had little say in our plans. We just piled everyone in the car and took off. They considered it fun. We would load stockings full of travel gifts that they could open along the way. We played car games and stayed in a hotel. Seeing cousins and grandparents was a treat. 

But, my children aren’t so young anymore and the trip doesn’t hold as much excitement as it once did. Two and a half weeks is a long time for my young adult children to be visiting family. I get it. 

Thankfully, amidst the disappointments traditions changing, I’ve learned something. It’s a truth I’ve known, but didn’t  truly experience until my circumstances challenged me to:  Jesus makes Christmas. Not the presents. Not the tree. Not even family. All these things are good and wonderful and add to the season, but when they change, Jesus is still here. 

It’s only in remembering this that I’ve been able to accept and be okay with staying home for Christmas. And it’s only in adjusting my perspective and expectations that I’m able to find  joy and peace in whatever my circumstances at Christmas time. Traditions are fun and meaningful,  but they are extra. 

I hope you too are able to find Jesus this Christmas, even if it doesn’t look like you expected. He is here. He is Christmas. 

Merry Christmas Friends!