What is it that you crave at Christmas gatherings? Traditional ham or turkey dinners? Christmas morning breakfast? Anticipating Santa's arrival with cookies and milk? Admiring the exchange of Christmas gifts? The re-telling of the Christmas story?
We all have our favorite parts of Christmas and New Years celebrations! And sometimes, if we're not careful, we'll lose sight of those around us and place the spotlight on ourselves. Here's what I mean. Christmas is all about Jesus, Santa, or the kids. Yet, there's always somebody else who writes their name in the script and moves into the spotlight of such occasions.
We all know Ryan Seacrest holds the spotlight of Dick Clark's New Year's Bash but someone else is always seeking to become the host of their own little bash in the cul-de-sac of their small town and become the next YouTube sensation.
And so it is, the ongoing question, how do we make for a Happy New Year?
Demand less.
The Christmas story has a fascinating twist that is so counterintuitive of the expectations of society. The people wanted a leader to rise up to provide military, political, and economic success but what they received was a baby born to an unknown family in an unfamiliar way prepared to walk an unlikely path.
Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, the innkeeper, and the rest of people in that day had no idea exactly what was taking place the night of Jesus' birth. But here is the unique twist that Christians believe happened that night. Jesus left heaven for earth. And he was on a mission that led him from the cradle to the cross.
You see, when Jesus was born, the Father knew that his siblings would be suspect of him, the Pharisees would test him, a disciple would betray him, and the soldiers would crucify him. Yet, He did not deny His responsibility to find His greatest happiness in unwavering obedience.
But look how drastically different many of our lives will be. We walk through life making demands, giving orders, placing expectations on others that they cannot uphold. No wonder so many people live miserable and frustrated lives. Never good enough for others. Never satisfied with receiving the penultimate gifts of this life.
If we truly want to be happy we must learn to demand less. Be grateful for what we have. See everything in this life as a gift. Realize that we're not as good as we think we are and most definitely not as deserving as we think we should be.
Happiness will be more opportunistic when we learn the difference between rights and responsibilities. Jesus knew the difference. He deserved His seat at the right hand of the Father but He excused Himself from His seat to fulfill a responsibility that would enable us to truly be happy, to find life in Him.
And so it is with you and me. If you want to be happy this year, make less demands. Instead of giving orders, take orders. Instead of priding yourself with being at the top, lower yourself beneath others. Be more like Jesus, who picked up a towel and basin of water, and washed the disciples' feet. He humbled Himself. Happiness always takes the path of humility over pride, every time!
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