Would you like to walk through this 'holy day' Season and gain strength, feel renewed, and be deepened in faith? Will you be one of those who fails to take away the renewal of spirit that the Season seems to promise? Some people say, "I just can't wait for it all to be over so I can get back to life." Others say, "It takes me a month to recover from all this." I want us to be able to say, "what a wonderful time of year. I am ready to take on the challenges of the new year."
What kind of choices can make the difference?
First of all, make people your priority! Resist the pressures to rush, to be hurried, to 'get the program' completed. Many of us either host gatherings or be guests. Truly take time to enjoy the opportunity to be with friends and family. Focus less on perfect preparations of food and decor and more on having a heart that is prepared to receive others. A dinner cooked to perfection, a home full of beautiful holiday decor will be soon forgotten, but an evening of meaningful conversation and interaction creates a lasting memory that renews us again and again.
Second, remember to include worship! I think it is safe to say that most Americans will spend far more time in the mall than in church during the next seven days! We will worship at the altar of consumerism with far more fervency than we will worship our Lord Jesus. This imbalance in the use of our time and money reveals the identity of our true god. Keeping Christ in Christmas isn't just about putting up a crèche on the lawn at City Hall. It's about building an altar in our heart and honoring the One whose life is the cause for the celebration. Put a half hour a day aside for meditation, prayer, and to read the stories of Jesus' nativity from Matthew and Luke. Tell your family you will be going to church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Arrive early and sit with a listening heart! "O come, let us adore Him... Christ, the Lord!"
Third, give yourself away! In Acts 20:35 (The Message) we read, "I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’ ” It's not just stuff that is given at Christmas. Give forgiveness. Give love. Give time. Give away your expectations and receive what these days bring your way.
Lastly, let encourage you to recover wonder! The children at church gather 'round me each Sunday in Advent with the request, "may I light the Advent candles?" Such a simple assignment is a coveted honor. Amazing, isn't it? But children have a great capacity for wonder, to appreciate the little things. Read the Christmas story and instead of asking, "How could this be?" let story speak to you about the depth of God's love. Watch the old film, "It's a Wonderful Life," and don't make fun of it! Instead, let it inspire you to make a difference in someone's life today. Let the sophisticates pretend to be bored by the holiday. Choose to be child-like (not childish!) in your wonder.With these choices, you will come to New Year's Day, with a renewed heart! Sure, you may be tired in body from staying up too late, going here and there, but you will have received Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. And, He brings life.
Here's a word from the Word to take with you as you begin this Christmas week-
"The Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. ... We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us—one gracious blessing after another." (John 1:14, 16, NLT)
No comments:
Post a Comment