It has taken me many years, but I can honestly say that I’ve been set free from being overly stressed at Christmas. Well, as far as the busyness of Christmas is concerned anyway. Certain stresses in life go on no matter what the season.
I was asked awhile back what traditions I can’t live without at Christmas and what insights I’d learned each holiday along the way. Don’t cringe like she did when I tell you that I’m not a big traditions person. It’s a long story, I’m just not. But I do enjoy dwelling on the reason for the season, so I have a few insights to offer on the subject.
The first is to take time to worship God alone.
Mark 1:35 (NIV)
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up,
left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
This may mean turning off the music, movies and other media, or walking away from the computer and other distractions…and getting alone with God–focusing on His character, His Word. It’s more difficult for moms with little children and little to no support from their spouses, but it can be done. (Just not for long unfortunately). Even if you get two hours alone to do Christmas shopping, take a few minutes in your car to be with Jesus. It will change your attitude, and maybe even what you buy.
Honestly, I don’t know how anyone keeps the Christ in Christmas without taking the time to focus on the Christ OF Christmas.
I simply cannot. After you’ve done this, then you can take the time to meditate on the Word and pray with your kids. This can make a significant difference in your family’s perspective this December. It’s more than listening to Christmas sermons, attending powerful performances and reading other’s devotions…it’s TRULY spending time in magnificent wonder and awe of your Savior King. Listening. Loving. Living.
Second, be intentional about living worship.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
It sounds so simple, but the small things speak Christ into others in the midst of a hectic, frustrating time for many. We try to tip extra when we can and put coins in the Salvation Army bucket. The kids and I not only put our grocery cart away, but we look for stray ones to put away too, especially if it’s cold or raining. We try to be friendly in lines at the checkout counter, pocketing our smart phones and making eye contact and conversation. I beg God for the restraint not to honk at the person who switches three lanes. Imagine a honk-free Christmas…now wouldn’t that be something?
These suggestions aren’t here to show off a Pharisee-type of goodness. I fall short every day, and the Lord opens my eyes to new ideas and attitudes that I was blind to before all the time. Bottom line: when our focus is on the Christ of Christmas, His light shines in and through us–and hopefully to the world around us too.
I pray that our family would not be out to impress the Santa who knows when you’ve been bad or good, but that we would be about giving our all to the Savior who knows our thoughts and motives. When I choose to turn a conversation from gossip to praise at a Christmas party, it makes a difference. When I seek out someone who looks left out and sit with them at the Christmas program, it makes a difference. When we choose to bless and not curse the grinches and grumps along our paths, it makes a difference. I love this quote from Beth Moore: “Jesus didn’t just come to change our lives, He came to change our day.” Hopefully in changing our day, He will change others’ too.
I could go on, but TRULY, the way we live out our faith during this time, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in us, the more peace that comes at Christmas, the internal kind anyway. Together let’s reflect on Him and live as though we believe that He is our “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6b. Merry Christmas!
Download LauraLee’s free handout of “Practical Ways to Let Your Light Shine Through the Holidays.“
LauraLee is a disciple of Jesus, wife of 23 years, mama bear turned coach to 3 teenagers,mentor, writer & speaker. Pray to live by faith, not by sight.
Dallas, Texas · FaithColoredGlasses.com, Facebook Page, Twitter
Dallas, Texas · FaithColoredGlasses.com
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