Tis the season for hustle and bustle, for rushing and running -- wait! Let's start a new tradition. One where we actually enjoy the holiday season. We can slow down, can't we? Yes! We can! Let's learn how!
Luke 10:38-41 As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Christmas is a busy time – many preparations have to be made. We can get to the place where we are worried and upset about many things if we do not remember that only one thing is needed. What is necessary at Christmas is what is necessary every other day of our lives - it is abiding in the Word of God. Remaining focused on God's Word will keep us balanced. We must not let the holiday season distract us.
We get out of balance when we ignore the Word of God. The holidays do add things to our schedule, but those things should never take the place of time spent in the Word of God. If the holidays become a distraction then they will not be enjoyed like they should be. God's Word should be the priority and we should not let anything distract us from the Word. We need Jesus!
Ecclesiastes 2:25 NIVÂ for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment?
Who can find true enjoyment with Jesus? No one can - that's who! We need Him if we want to enjoy life!
Let the Word of God bring balance into your life. We tend to get out of balance when we try to do too much. Do you host Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at your house? Do you try to do everything yourself or do you ask for help? Asking someone to bring a side dish or dessert is an easy way to relieve some of the pressure. Do you decorate all alone? Recruit family and friends. Have a decorating party and have fun - everything does not have to be perfect. Christmas is a time to rejoice and be thankful for all you have. The decorations and preparations should add to that celebration experience, they shouldn't take away from it. When we focus on the Word, we will understand what really matters and we will learn to enjoy life as it happens.
Christmas should be celebrated but it is not to be observed any differently than our every-day lives. We should be focused on Christ every day and we should celebrate every day of our lives! We keep Christ in Christmas by abiding in the Word. As we abide in the Word we will feel a desire to celebrate!
