A Word for the Christmas-Weary

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"  Is it?

"Have a cup of Christmas cheer!"   Is that a sly alcohol reference I am henceforth wise to?

"'Tis the season to be jolly!'   And tired, over-sugared, and over-scheduled.

I am NOT Ebenezer Scrooge!  I love some aspects of Christmas:  fresh pine Christmas trees; Christmas carols -beatboxed or crooned; my kids making gifts for one another. Christmas cards that come in the mail (y'all are GORGEOUS!). Lighting our Advent candles over dinner.  Reading of Jesus' birth and ruminating on its mystery.  I love Christmas.

I bemoan creating the perfect Christmas.  No outside decorations this year?  My fail = Joneses win.  Not really nailing it in the Christmas-baking department.  "Look at it this way, Family, we won't gain any weight this year!"  Time to send out a Christmas card.  Oh - no perfect family photo?  No Christmas card, again.

I resent helping with your perfect Christmas!  "Nope, I still don't own a Christmas-y sweater; I like your ugly one, though."  "I'd rather not kiss you under your mistletoe, if it's all the same to you."  "Did I remember to get you a gift?  I can barely remember groceries!"

I'd like the turn back the clock to the days when I wasn't the Responsible One.  Being  irresponsible or penniless really has its perks.  Very low expectations placed on that group.  Show up for an event and enjoy.  Sit down for the dinner and partake.  Not so for the Responsible One.  

When the Responsible One is now the Christmas Weary- When you are the Go-To Person, to whom can you go?  This is my dilemma.  Over creamy coffee, I pour out these feelings to my best friend.  He's the Prince of Peace, after all - seems like a good place to turn.  I whine.  I cry.  I lament, "God, it seems like all I do is serve!  Who is serving ME?"

Be still, my soul: You will not believe the answer.  Jesus, by His Spirit, as only Jesus can do, shocked me with, "I serve YOU. I stoop to pick you up; I carry you through."  How quickly I forget.  

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

[He] made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men....  (Philippians 2:7)

My whining turns to worship as I recall a myriad Scripture references of Jesus as servant. He comes knocking at my door: He clothes me with robes of righteousness; He prepares a banquet for me; He makes me radiant; He restores my soul.  

Jesus sounds a lot like the Responsible One. The Perfect One. The Servant-Savior.  I am called to serve others;  you are, too.  But we don't serve alone.  We are in the company of Jesus, our brother, who not only showed the way, He is The Way.  Jesus cares deeply and tenderly for me.  My perspective changes.  

The Christmas-Weary finds rest.