I love Christmas
time. The temperatures, the lights, the smells (oh.... the smells),
the tree and even the family gatherings. I love the simplicity of
the season. Yes! The simplicity. I know and have met so many people
who complain. They are so exhausted mentally, emotionally,
physically, financially and spiritually. Why? The Christmas season!!!
I've never understood this.
Christmas was never
meant to exhaust us in any way. It was never meant to make us stress;
especially about finances.
We spend so much
time trying to figure out who and what to buy for whom. We're
out-doing what we bought last year. For some, it's out-doing the
other side of the family, In-laws and the other parents. Fighting
parking lots, patrons in stores and long check out lines. We then
worry about our overdrawn bank accounts, drained savings and maxed
out credit cards. Now, how does this contribute to the reason for the
season? You're right! It doesn’t!! Not even in the slightest!
Anything that causes
us stress, chaos and discontentment is not of God. It is not of
anything godly. Satan works hard. He works very hard to rear his ugly
face in any and all aspects of life. Every stinking day of the year.
He is not confined to a certain time of year. He is not confined to a
certain season. That's right.... He will in any way he can distract
you from the true meaning of the season. This is when we lose focus.
This is when we STRESS OUT!
But...... Let me
tell you! It does not have to be this way!!!!!!!
Christmas is not
about the presents. It's about the Presence! The presence of family.
The presence of Love and most importantly the presence of GOD!!
I challenge you
today, tomorrow and all Christmas Season. Stay focused on the reason
for the season. The birth of Christ... As in Isaiah 9:6
“For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government
shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counselor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
(image borrowed)
Here are a few ways
to help with teaching our children and ourselves (including me):
Teach our children
why we celebrate the season as in Isaiah....
- Buy less..... My children will get one gift and stocking suffers. And, these are purchased at the after Christmas sales. (yes, I'm that Mom!!).
- Don't be afraid to give hand crafted heart felt gifts. (People love them)
- Make a bigger deal out of their birthdays
- Take the focus off the giving of gifts. Give to others. (make a Christmas meal & deleiver to a family who may not have Christmas dinner without it)
- Volunteer on Christmas morning. (Salvation Army, Jesus House, Homeless Shelters, Soup Kitchens)
- Use the money to purchase and pass out coats, gloves, scarfs, shoes, sandwiches, soups to the homeless.
I pray this will
help you as much as it helped me while writing it. Christmas is a
wonderful spiritual time of year. That all started with the birth of
a baby. Who was born to die. To suffer and die for our salvation.
Blessings,
Hollie Kate
No comments:
Post a Comment