This has been the best Christmas season for me in at least seven years. Why? No stress. I determined to scale back this year, and for the first time in nearly a decade I did just that. Less shopping, less decorating, no crafts, no baking, and (gasp!) no Christmas letter. I intended to write a letter, but I ran out of time, so instead of stressing about it, I decided to put it off until later. Freedom!
In past years I was all Martha: doing, doing, doing all December. There were years when I picked up my Bible one or two times the whole Christmas season. No wonder Christmas had become empty to me. This year I was all Mary: sitting, reading, and listening to Jesus. God has given me some of the greatest blessings this December.
–I did not find Christmas in my Hallmark Keepsake Ornament collection.
–I did not find Christmas in green and red wrapping paper covering toys my kids don’t need.
–I did not find Christmas in a sales flyer or at the mall.
–I found Christmas in a guitar solo of The Little Drummer Boy at church.
–I found Christmas in Caleb reading scripture during a chapel service at school.
–I found Christmas in Kevin when he said something he appreciated about every person in our Sunday School class on Sunday.
–I found Christmas in the teary eye of a single mom when I handed her a gift.
–I found Christmas in Caleb when he bought twelve baby chicks for a family in a developing country.
–I found Christmas in quiet moments reading God’s Word.
–I found Christmas in snuggly moments reading Christmas books to Caleb and Chelsea.
–I found Christmas in Chelsea when she made up a song and sang, “We have lots of presents, but it’s not about presents. It’s all about Jesus.”
Thank you, Jesus, for helping me find peace and love in Christmas and for showing me how to truly enjoy the season instead of just surviving it.
Merry Christmas! Lovely post.
Thanks, Beverly. Merry Christmas to you as well.