I love Christmas! I love the lights, the music, the smells (you won’t catch me with an artificial tree!); the cookies made with real butter…yum!
Like everyone I don’t like the stress that can come with Christmas. What gifts, who’s coming, did I bake those cookies last year, this tradition, that tradition, parties to go to (no matter how fun, they take time) and so on.
When I think about the first Christmas, I imagine that Mary and Joseph were feeling quite harried! Traveling all that way, pregnant as a house, political unrest in the whole land, crowded Bethlehem…remember NO ROOM in the inn? Then there was that whole going in to labor thing. I don’t know from experience, but I hear that’s rather distracting. Anyhow, there seems to have come a point in time for Mary and Joseph when the world stood still and there they were it the stable with Emmanuel – God with us! Wow talk about focus!
What will it take for us to unclutter our Christmas preparations? I think it is that same thing: FOCUS. Not focus on all of the trimmings and traditions, no matter how wonderful and good they might be, but focus on Jesus, Emmanuel, God with US.
Take a few minutes right now to let your mind wander back to Bethlehem. Just relax and focus on what Christmas really is. Let’s put all of the expectations and busy-ness on the back burner and give ourselves time to listen to the words of all of those beautiful carols that remind us of the truth; a baby, a manger, good tidings of GREAT JOY which shall be to all people. “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord!”
Silent Night
Silent night Holy night, all is calm all is bright,'Round yon virgin Mother and Child, Holy infant so tender and mild.Sleep in heavenly peace; Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth; Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Like everyone I don’t like the stress that can come with Christmas. What gifts, who’s coming, did I bake those cookies last year, this tradition, that tradition, parties to go to (no matter how fun, they take time) and so on.
When I think about the first Christmas, I imagine that Mary and Joseph were feeling quite harried! Traveling all that way, pregnant as a house, political unrest in the whole land, crowded Bethlehem…remember NO ROOM in the inn? Then there was that whole going in to labor thing. I don’t know from experience, but I hear that’s rather distracting. Anyhow, there seems to have come a point in time for Mary and Joseph when the world stood still and there they were it the stable with Emmanuel – God with us! Wow talk about focus!
What will it take for us to unclutter our Christmas preparations? I think it is that same thing: FOCUS. Not focus on all of the trimmings and traditions, no matter how wonderful and good they might be, but focus on Jesus, Emmanuel, God with US.
Take a few minutes right now to let your mind wander back to Bethlehem. Just relax and focus on what Christmas really is. Let’s put all of the expectations and busy-ness on the back burner and give ourselves time to listen to the words of all of those beautiful carols that remind us of the truth; a baby, a manger, good tidings of GREAT JOY which shall be to all people. “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord!”
Silent Night
Silent night Holy night, all is calm all is bright,'Round yon virgin Mother and Child, Holy infant so tender and mild.Sleep in heavenly peace; Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth; Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
1 comment:
This year feels so much different. I'm not even thinking about Christmas, as far as all the stuff and commercialism and the prep for a celebration at home. We don't have a tree...will get one soon, maybe. I'm just thinking of what our future will be like. Where we will be. What city will be live in. And I'm thinking about how fun it will be to go to Long Beach and stay with my husband in our daughter's apartment while she and Gregg and his family will be travelling. He has to work, so he won't be here, but I can go there and looking forward to that. But I am also trying to focus on the birth of Christ in the midst of these thoughts. Yes, the carols help me keep the focus where it belongs. Thanks for sharing.
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