The Weight of Christmas is Upon Us
By: Jack Heimbigner
Tags: Parenting, Family, Christmas, Advent, Covid 19

Advent 2020

The Weight of Christmas is Upon Us

Experiencing Christmas in a new way this year

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

There is something particularly heavy about Christmas this year.

At first, I thought it was because of Covid-19 and the restrictions that we are seeing all around us, but that isn’t quite it. Then I thought it was because we won’t celebrate it at the family farmhouse this year because my parents move, but that isn’t it either.

As I have been thinking about it this morning, the weight that I have been feeling isn’t from this world, but from the Kingdom of Heaven. It isn’t something bad I realize, but something important.

Christmas this year feels different because it is a turning point for our family. We have been in our home for a few years now, and we have the three wonderful little girls that we get to celebrate with too. Most of all, however, is we are not dependant on outside forces when it comes to celebrating Christmas.

Christmas Past

In years past, we have had traditions of going to Christmas Eve service, picking up Chinese takeout, and celebrating Jesus’s birthday with the girls. Then we would wake up, enjoy presents, and head off to family for an all-day present-a-thon.

This year, many churches won’t be doing a Christmas Eve service in person or if they are, they are limited numbers due to Covid restrictions. So, this tradition comes to a halt this year, but that might not be a bad thing.

We also will try for Chinese takeout, but there aren’t as many options where we live now, so maybe it will be Thai or something else. But it won’t be the same.

The family will be coming here this year, which will make things a little easier, but something about it feels strange nevertheless. When I think of past traditions, they feel far away this year, which makes me think something else is coming.

Christmas Present

This year has felt strange because of Covid-19. I keep mentioning it, but I cannot deny that it has really messed with the way we do life, even though it is not near as much as it is for others. But this year, we are really looking at the things we do and why we do them.

Yet, Christmas feels like it is sneaking up on us too.

Maybe it's because we went from a family of four to a family of five. Three little ladies are definitely more work than two. But, there is more to think about when it comes to presents and encouraging traditions.

Everything seems like a blur, but my wife and I are realizing we can take control of the things we can control.

Christmas Future

Here is what I know, this year is a ‘pivot point’ for our family. We are learning to take things in a different direction than we have been and I am realizing that we need to do it now.

However, we need to think of the future.

Are we going to create traditions that are so ingrained in our family that my daughters will look forward to them for years to come? Or are we going to remain in the status quo and let these opportunities slip away.

My wife and I aren’t status quo people, so that isn’t going to work.

The future we see is one where our daughters will take our traditions and make them their own one day too. It is one where they will have fond memories of Christmas and the entire season. It starts with us today though.

How is Your Christmas Looking this Year?

I am curious to know if Christmas feels weighty to you this year? Is everything going on in the world changing the way your family is doing things? How might it impact in the years to come? Please share in the comments below!