The Christmas season is packed full of traditions, expectations, and frenzy. We’ve got trees and nativities and gingerbread houses and lights and movies. How did we get here? Where did all of these traditions come from? And how should we handle all of them? Christmas can be a season of heightened discouragement, disillusionment, and anxiety. But it’s possible as Christians to slow down and savor the season. We can fix our minds and hearts on Immanuel, God with us. Both his first coming and second coming are the true source of our hope and joy.

Resources used for this episode:

Why Putting Christ Back in Christmas Is Not Enough and Why Do We Have Christmas Trees? - Christianity Today

9 Things You Should Know About Christmas Traditions - TGC

Want to Get Into the Christmas Spirit? Face the Darkness - NYT

Grief, the Holidays, and a Biblical Christmas - TGC

5 Popular Misconceptions About the Christmas Story - TGC

Christmas - Britannica.com