As we wrap up the year and deck the halls with festive decorations, it’s only natural to ponder the true essence of Christmas. In this blog article, we delve into various Christmas perspectives with Ps Matt Anderson of Surprise Church in Bismarck, ND, USA – from the insights gathered in our community to the disappointments and expectations that often accompany the holiday season. Join us on a journey through the levels of hope, exploring both the hazardous pitfalls and the hope that doesn’t disappoint.
We embarked on a quest to understand what Christmas means to our community. The responses were as diverse as the holiday itself. From the warmth of family gatherings to the solitude that sometimes accompanies the season, Christmas emerged as a nuanced experience. It’s a time of both joy and sorrow, a realisation that sets the stage for a more profound exploration of the holiday’s true impact.
While Christmas is often associated with joy and celebration, it’s essential to acknowledge that it can also bring disappointment. January, in particular, tends to be a month of post-Christmas blues. We unpack the reasons behind these disappointments, reflecting on why individuals may struggle after the festive lights dim. By understanding these dynamics, we can navigate the complexities of the holiday aftermath more empathetically.
Levels of Hope: Coping Mechanisms and Christmas Connections
Introducing the concept of “levels of hope,” we explore the different ways people cope with the realities of life. At the first level, there’s the dangerous attempt to escape, where dark thoughts and self-harm may arise. This level finds an unexpected connection with Joseph’s initial reaction in the Christmas story to Mary’s pregnancy, highlighting the universality of human struggles across time.
Moving to the second level of hope, we discuss self-medication, a coping mechanism that involves relying on chemicals, media, or habits to numb the pain. In an era of high-stimulation culture and addictive behaviours, we ponder the impact of these choices on individuals’ mental and emotional well-being. As an alternative, we propose the radical approach of accepting emotions, labelling them as short-term experiences rather than perpetual states.
Encouraging the acceptance of emotions becomes a central theme. We advise approaching emotions with curiosity, acknowledging and labelling them without judgment. Using the metaphor of waving at negative feelings as they pass by, we emphasise the impermanence of emotions and the power of allowing them to naturally ebb and flow.
The Hope that Doesn’t Disappoint:
As we wrap up this exploration, we emphasize the importance of placing hope in the right place. The levels of hope discussed find echoes in the Christmas story, drawing parallels between the human experience and the timeless narrative of the birth of Jesus. We tease the upcoming exploration of the hope that doesn’t disappoint, leaving room for further elaboration in the upcoming sermon series, “God Wants to Help.”
In unwrapping Christmas perspectives, we find that acknowledging the complexities, disappointments, and coping mechanisms is a step toward embracing the true spirit of the season. By understanding the levels of hope and recognising the hope that doesn’t disappoint, we pave the way for a more meaningful and transformative Christmas experience.
