Is it just me or does Christmas bring out the WORST in people?  Around this time of year, characteristics that I seriously despise start to rear their ugly heads in my heart.  I’ve sweetly named them “The Seven Sins of Christmas”.

Here they all.  In all their glory:

I see something and want it.  No matter the price.  No matter the cost to my relationships or budget.  It’s Christmas time – afterall.  An excuse to BUY.  {right??}  As a result, my house is getting more cluttered, and my heart is the same.

My kids will have the perfect Christmas.  We WILL put up the tree right after Thanksgiving. Decorate it with cranberries and popcorn that my toddlers strung by themselves.  Do all of Pinterest PERFECTLY.  Get the best deals on the all the gifts and wrap them just like Pottery Barn.  I will do all the traditions and make all the things and do all the crafts.

I’ve already skipped about three holiday parties this year.  Ones that I probably would have benefited from going to.  I missed out on great fellowship and probably needed encouragement.  All for the sake of being too busy.  I’ve missed countless days of reading my Bible.  Too busy to stop and read God’s Word.  Ouch.  When all I want to do this season is slow down and take it all in, I’m rushing and hurrying and forgetting.

Threats of “Santa’s watching” or “Elf on a Shelf” – All these manipulative tools we use to demand good behavior from our kids.  And while our family doesn’t use these particular tools, I suppose you could add the sin of judgement in here when I find my heart judging those who do.  Because I do use my share of bribing in the form of C-A-N-D-Y {which my one and three year old now know how to spell}.

Anyone else more on edge with the people closest to them?  I’m snapping at my kids.  Frustrated with my husband.  Beating myself up.  And using words that I don’t normally use or even like to hear.  Not to mention the lack of patience I have for full parking lots, long lines, and crowded areas.

Now I truly believe that I struggle with this all year long, but especially at Christmas.  Sneaking cookies.  Getting thirds.  Midnight snacks.  A sin that is so obviously exposed and so so gripping.

I either find myself caught in one or the other.  Envious of the new car our neighbors got or boastful about the THINGS coming my way.  THINGS that are going to eventually burn.  THINGS that are temporary.  I’m pretty sure this started early in life when my best friend and I would make immediate calls to each after opening gifts to report our new THINGS.  All resulting in a thankless heart.

So there they are.  Laid bare for all the see,  My Seven Christmas Sins.

I’m actually thankful for them.  I’m so thankful that the worst of me comes out this time of year.  Because someone is coming.  Someone who can fix it all.  Make it all right.  Take the ugly and turn it beautiful.  His name is Jesus and I think He picked the perfect time of year to be born.  To enter into the chaos of Christmas as the Peace, Safety, and Freedom from perfection.

Weeks after Christmas is over and all of America starts to realize that the gifts they got under the tree aren’t satisfying anymore – we will see our need for something more.  Something life-giving.  Something eternal.  Something Jesus gives.

So instead of protecting my children from the “gimmies” and “I want thats!”, I’m going to expose it.  Bring it to light – not shove it down deep and cover it with holier-than-thou traditions.  Because this is our nature.  But not our destiny.  We don’t have to hide or be ashamed when the Seven Sins of Christmas appear in our hearts.  We just need to remind ourselves that THIS is why Jesus came.

THIS is why He is coming.