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Christmas Day is a wonderful day of celebration. It will be filled with the excitement of family and the exchange of gifts and cheer – but it can also be a little tense and stressful at times. As the many personalities of family members mix and come together again, some after a long absence – tempers can flair and jealously can emerge. It’s easy to let jealously gnaw at you – especially if your sister insists on bragging about the beautiful expensive ring her hubby bought, or when you notice all the nice things your brother’s children bought him for Christmas, while your children seem to have completely forgotten about you…

It will be easy to allow resentment to brew over how your mother seems to dote over your cousin that none of you have seen in years. It will be tempting to just cancel Christmas dinner altogether when you realize you’re the only one putting in all the work while the children play and the hubby watches sports. It will be tempting to take every gift you bought back to the store (although, if you went into debt, maybe this isn’t a bad idea).

Last year, I went out of my way to buy the perfect mp3 player for my son – he had been drooling over it for months. So, despite the fact that his grades weren’t exactly perfect, nor his attitude or behavior, I decided to get it for him. I finished my Christmas shopping early and thought I had hidden everything away safely – until on Christmas Eve, as I was getting prepared to wrap things and set them under the tree, I noticed, the mp3 packaging had been damaged. I know it was not damaged when I purchased it, so that means someone had gotten into it, and had taken it upon themselves to open it early. It had to be my son – I was immediately enraged.

I confronted him, and of course he denied it. But no one else could have done it. I just wanted him to admit it – and since he refused – I threatened to take it back to the store. I actually left the house, in my pajamas and headed to the nearest Wal-mart, only to discover that it was closed. I’d just have to wait until after Christmas.

On Christmas morning, my husband and I rose to watch the kids open their gifts. My son had such a disappointed look on his face, because he knew the gift wouldn’t be under the tree because he’d watched me leave to take it back. He didn’t know that the store was closed, nor did he know that the gift was in fact, under the tree.

I decided to put it there after spending some time praying – it’s very difficult to remain angry and pray at the same time. It’s as if I heard Jesus himself whispering to me – that’s not what this season is about. It’s about celebrating what Christ has done for us – that includes forgiveness. The gift of forgiveness meant, I had to share it with my son; and I couldn’t hold anything he’d done against him. That included bad grades, bad attitude, and opening the gift.

When he finally found out that the last gift under the tree was the very mp3 player that had caused so much drama the night before, he immediately rushed over and hugged me.

Taking that moment to pray had allowed me an opportunity to usher peace back into my home. I wanted to go ahead and attend that anger and pity party, but consulting with Christ reminded me why I celebrate Christmas in the first place.

Remember the reason why we celebrate – remember the gift of Jesus Christ and what He wants from us. Anger, jealously, and pity are not conducive to peace and love. Don’t be tempted to harbor emotions that are contradictory to peace and the celebration of love that Christmas time should bring. Remember, that it is not about what others can buy or do for you; or even whether or not they appreciate you – but more about ushering in peace and love for others as expression of your love for Christ.

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