Do you sometimes feel like you just can’t get into the spirit of the season, or that the Christmas mood escapes you?

Maybe you’ve decorated your home, baked traditional holiday treats, shopped for and wrapped gifts, and you still don’t feel that giddy anticipation of your youth.

Especially when there are no children in the home, Christmas can seem a little flat. If even watching a Christmas movie marathon makes no difference, it might be time to reevaluate your expectations.

Children are entranced by the once-a-year lights, decorations, and sweet treats. The buildup to the big day creates intense anticipation of the joys and toys Christmas will bring.

As adults, we share in their excitement and delight, perhaps wondering why we don’t feel it as they do.

Christians know the reason for all the over-the-top festivities of Christmas. As we mature in our faith, understanding the reality and the enormity of Christ’s miraculous birth, our focus is no longer on the trappings of the celebrations, but on the world-changing event which we celebrate.

It’s no wonder the sentimental songs and movies, the food and decorations, even the gifts we exchange seem to lose their luster when compared to the process set in motion on that blessed night.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 (NKJV)

If you are having trouble finding the Christmas spirit this season, turn to your Bible and let the Holy Spirit guide you.

It’s good to remember that as miraculous and marvelous His birth was, because He came we still have much to anticipate with intense joy.

¹⁶ For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NET)

⁹ Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, ¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:9-11 (NKJV)