“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
One Cyber Monday, years ago, I awoke, happy to be home. Traveling most of the week before, I eagerly anticipated spending the final day of Thanksgiving break with just my girls.
The house was quiet as the young ladies slept in; I enjoyed the quiet peacefulness as I penned out the plan for the day. We were all excited to decorate the house for Christmas, and this afternoon was a promised shopping day. During our travels, laundry had piled up and the pantry needed replenished.
So much to do, Lord! I settled myself at the kitchen table, having quiet time and thinking about Christmas. God loved us each so much that He would send His son as a baby who would grow up to one day give His life for you and for me, so we could be reunited with God.
My eyes fell to my list and I realized something was desperately missing: a true focus on Christ.
Some time later I called my girls to a hot breakfast and Bible study. We read the Christmas story from Luke and turned our preparatory thoughts into a discussion of what God was doing with Christ’s birth.
In a month bustling with lists of preparations and extra engagements vying for my time, I find I must work doubly hard to not let the season’s joyous extras distract me from Christ and his loving sacrifice. My daily prayer of asking God to show me what He has for me today is augmented with one additional petition: please remind my heart of the true meaning of Christmas.
While I love giving gifts, nothing I wrap can compare with the gift God has already given us. Any meal I plan will pale in comparison with the feast we will all enjoy one day in heaven. No decorations can outshine the glory of the place Christ is preparing for us.
So instead of rushing here and there, run off my feet and mostly out of my mind (!), I chose instead to truly celebrate what I have been given, and not complicate the season with unwarranted stress. We made simple preparations, relishing the joy of celebrating together, cozied upon the couch, drinking cocoa and caroling. Reading stories, moving magnetic nativity characters around a board and enjoying the simple pleasures of loving little girls who will grow up all too soon.
One of my favorite times from that holiday season was in the early hours of those December days when the lit tree glimmered in a dark room and I, with a steaming cup in my hands would have my quiet time with Lord. The peace I experienced… the true joy of simplicity. My heart full with the wonder… my God loves me so much that… He sent His son… in the form of an innocent baby… so I wouldn’t be afraid to approach Him.
This year, almost half a decade later, the girls are older, we are in a different stage of life. This Cyber Monday I worked at a job outside the home. Yet, my heart reflected on those thoughts reminding me I must, absolutely must, park my thoughts on Jesus. I must create focus in my mind and room in my plans to simply spend time contemplating the great gift God gave that very first Christmas, a bridge back to a life with God the Father.
While I bake or shop or wrap, my heart can peacefully prepare for the quiet joy of knowing the Christ is indeed the Reason for the Season. My girls are older, my schedule feels fuller, but my heart is even lighter as with a bit of age and experience I realize what is important. While festivities are fun, my heart needs Jesus. Plain and simple. I need Jesus to command my thoughts and order my plans for the day. And I need Jesus to be the reason I am preparing my home, my family, and my heart for the holidays.
Maybe you can relate. Maybe all you want is to enjoy a few precious moments with little ones who will all too soon be big, be gone, doing their jobs, going home to their families. Maybe you just want to enjoy the season, with a settled peace in your heart. That is exactly why Jesus came. To give you and me peace in our hearts and souls, today, and for eternity.
Reflections:
How do you prepare your heart for the season? I would love to hear how you focus on Christ in your preparations for Christmas. Please share your thoughts, family traditions, and prayers here!
Amen Sister! I find it a crying shame that this world preys on people this time of year for marketing purposes and greed. A Crime that they begin this plot before Fall. May we stay grounded in Him and give of our time and talents. Relinquish the stuff for it is all just stuff that will be left behind! Eternity and bare bones nakedness (our soul) is forever. Oops……I hope that was ok to say. Ha! Me :o)