Hey guys!
Can you believe that it’s ALMOST CHRISTMAS?
I’m actually away on a little weekend getaway to Leavenworth with Mr. FFF right now. It’s basically the cutest little Bavarian town EVER, and they decorate it super Christmas-y and have a lighting ceremony each night and such. We went last year and decided it needs to be our new tradition!
Anyway, I do need to keep it short today because 1. I’m away. 2. Christmas busy-ness is kicking my butt.
And, on the topic of number 2, that’s sort of what I want to talk about today.
I was really struck by a devotion that I read this week called “Finding Peace in the Chaos of Christmas.”
Basically it talked about how the Christmas season is SO busy that it’s SUPER easy to get totally stressed out with ALL THE THINGS we need to do, and events that we need to attend. If you’re a food blogger, you’ll know that this is the busiest time. I’m pulling insanely long days trying to figure out ALL the Christmas cookie recipes…and ones that haven’t been done 49324 times, figuring out how to get ahead since there will be a lot of traveling, and off-work times during the holidays etc etc.
I’m stressed. You’re stressed we’re all stressed.
What really struck me in this passage is “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45, NIV) I’m not proud of what I’m about to tell you, but I’m a real person and I fail a lot:
Almost EVERY day this month, at SOME POINT in the day, I literally have said out-loud to myself “I hate everything. Everything sucks.”
Which, UMM, is SO NOT TRUE. My life is pretty awesome when I actually look at it. But it has shown me that my heart is not rested right now, it’s full of stress, anxiety and busy-ness.
Which means I need to look a little deeper. Is my heart steadfast on Jesus, trusting Him that I will get everything I need done, and finding His perfect peace through that?
That’s a BIG. FAT. NO. I’ve barely even thought about the whole MEANING of Christmas beyond baking cookies and waking up to a little chocolate surprise every morning. Worst person ever? Yeah, that’s me.
But, that devotion was needed. It put some things into perspective. Am I telling you that I am suddenly resting ALL THE TIME and singing Christmas Hymns all day long? No. I still have to work, that’s just a reality of adult life. BUT, I am really trying to stop each day, amidst the baking, and remember WHY this season is so special, and why I actually love it – I do not hate EVERYTHING at all.
You’re probably wondering the point of all of this. Really, I just wanted to remind ya’ll to take moments to remember the Virgin Birth. Remember the stable. Remember WHY we celebrate Christmas. It’s not just cookies and lights and parties! Those parts are all great, but it’s not great when we become so busy with all of it that our hearts aren’t focused on the MAIN reason of the season. I know you’ve been reminded a zillion times, but that is what was on my heart today.
Again, I ain’t perfect, and I am probably going to need to read this little write up that I wrote MYSELF everyday. But, I’m trying to pay more attention. And I hope you do too!
Ps. This will be the last Sunday reflection until the New year! I’m away every weekend now, and want to make sure I’m spending that time with my family 🙂 Merry Christmas!
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