The Holiday Season Trap

While Thanksgiving and Christmas are the most wonderful time of year for many people, it can also be a trap of indulgence. In a sermon I listened to this week, they shared that the lie our culture brings this season is this: you need more. Whether it’s more food, more money, or more possessions, the holidays can be a time of feasting on things we don’t always need.

This is not me trying to put a damper on the holidays, because it is such a joyful season. I’m definitely not saying to avoid getting or giving gifts – if so I’d be the biggest hypocrite of all! Rather, the point is that while there can be fun involved with getting more, it’s not always necessary. God has already provided everything we need and will provide for us. When he provided manna and quail in the desert, he didn’t give more or less than what the Israelites required. He gave them exactly what they needed.

What’s something you feel like you don’t need to have or do right now? Consider fasting for it for a week (or longer). I’m not talking about the traditional fasting of food, but you could certainly do that too. Earlier this week I decided to fast from social media because I felt like I was wasting too much time on it. It doesn’t have to be complicated, it can be a form of media, soda, coffee, or your phone. The only rule is that you can’t fast from something necessary: you’re not allowed to take a break from doing dishes.

Maybe you feel like your heart is in the right place and you don’t need to fast from anything right now. That’s fine too. Either way, I hope that this December brings joy and a reminder of this special time when God provided his own son to live among us. One day, that son grew up to be known as Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. God provided exactly what we needed.

*Link to sermon by Nate Hilgencamp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vil6qL2LTDo