Drowning in the aftermath of Christmas? What an intense time of year that even the most devout are glad is over. No more parties or traveling or shopping. Aren’t we sick of it all? It’s time to move on to our New Year’s resolutions and the throwing away of Christmas cookies, fudge, and every other over-indulgence that we told ourselves: “No more of that next month!”

But then the bills become due. Budgets items are being reallocated and the credit card bills of the New Year are going to hurt. You know they are. So, as much as I love the Christmas season, it is built on a willing fantasy based on the notion of deferred consequences. It’s wonderful putting up the lights, and it’s awful taking them down.

Silence!

And who wants to continue talking about the birth of Christ anymore? It’s sad really, but please, no more renditions of “Silent Night”! I’m all sung out and stressed out. No more lights, no more nativity, and no more Santa! I love baby Jesus and I love “O’ Little Town of Bethlehem,” but I just need a break. The Christmas tree and lights are wrapping themselves around my soul and I’m a tangled mess, drowning. And yet, still, inevitably, it will not be long before I start looking forward to the whole glorious season again. Second verse same as the first.

But this year was a bit different for me. I have become convinced that Jesus wasn’t born on Dec. 25, (500 Year Journey) and so a lot of the cultural pressure was removed. I celebrated his advent like anyone else, but my soul, interestingly, felt lighter. I saw the ceremonies as symbolic and meaningful, but they didn’t hold the same weight, anymore.

And I’m thinking that is okay.

Generous Materialism

For many people Christmas is the highlight of the year as far as holidays go, but I am more mindful than ever that there is also nothing quite so self-indulgent that we do in the name of sacrifice, and nothing quite so materialistic that we justify in the name of generosity. I’m not hating on Christmas, but there is something quite overwhelming about it and, personally, I would like to completely keep my focus on the birth of Christ.

And it was this past year (2023) that I enjoyed this kind of purity while celebrating the birth of Christ. There was a sacredness to it. A genuine quietness, as is fitting for the Prince of Peace.  I found it to be meaningful in a way that hasn’t happened to me for a long time, and that I imagine the shepherds would have felt when they finally found the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.  I quietly reflected on the meaning of the incarnation, thanked the Lord for sending his Son, and then went to bed. No bedlam, mayhem, or hypertension. It was glorious.

Happy Holy Day

For those of you burnt out on Christmas and hungover from the happy holy day, I want to introduce you to a new vision of peace. True peace. A celebration of the birth of Christ (not Christmas) that will remind you that God is in control of human history and that he loves us deeply.

He was born on the true New Year and his birth is nothing less than the most humble, timely, and beautiful event since creation itself. Don’t miss the miracle.

What’s Next?

>> In my next post, I will dig into why the Hebrews celebrate their New Year in their seventh month instead of their first month. Their first month is called Abib (or Nisan) and will begin on April 9th in 2024, and their seventh month is called Ethanim (or Tishri) and will begin on October 3, 2024. 

But why do they do that? It’s a fascinating story.

Please subscribe below and get updates on future posts about when Christ was really born. I hope you will find it as interesting and enlightening as I have. Blessings.