This is the season of "peace and joy". But the dull roar of a sighing, overworked, overambitious people can stifle that peace and joy. I'm not talking about the angst of a post-modern society driven by materialism. I'm talking about me! Putting up that Christmas Tree from that box in the garage, and redecorating it once more with the weariness one might have in going through their "Things To Do" List is not the pathway to peace and joy.
A feeling of obligation sucks the joy right out of Christmas. In years past, I must confess: I had streamlined my holiday preparations into a manageable routine . But that wasn't the solution! It's not about bringing my house "up to code" for the holidays. It's about FILLING the season with the joy we have in Christ, letting that overflow into every effort we make. That's what makes spirits bright indeed. I'm ushering in the season of celebrating Christ's birth!
We all have our different ways of expressing the joy we have in Christ. But that should be our ultimate goal, no matter how we show it: To express that joy. If what we're doing isn't pouring out of our heart, then we should just cross it off our list. What good will it do anyone in the end?!
This year, I set aside some extra time for decorating, not because I "had" to, but because I was excited about Christmas. Our shop is festive and fun for the holidays, and everyone coming into the deli seems to enjoy it. The decor can remind us of an awesomely wonderful thing: JESUS is coming to town. He came once. He's coming again. Let's get ready for THAT!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
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7 comments:
I love this! I am experiencing frustration with my Christmas decorating, but you have renewed my desire to make things look festive to proclaim the Good News. I think I'm going to springboard off this. . . .
Thanks for sharing your joy! It's definitely contagious! :)
Oddly enough I have been having those same thoughts this season. I decided a few weeks ago to focus on the reason for the season rather than focusing on getting my decorations up and my house looking festive. I then found that in reminding myself once again what Christmas really means, I was ready to tackle those decorations and announce that our household and family are ready to celebrate Christ's birth.
Amen!!! I often feel the same way about decorating - esp taking them down! But this year I refused to look at it as a chore. I just reveled in the joy of it all!
You said, "If what we're doing isn't pouring out of our heart, then we should just cross it off our list." ~ I agree!
I also liked when you said, "JESUS is coming to town. He came once. He's coming again. Let's get ready for THAT!" ~ He should be our motive behind anything and everything all the year through, including in decorating our home for this season.
Thanks for sharing today!
Hey. I was bord and decied to look up myself on Google.. adn this came up. WOW! its weird 'cause i am a 12 year old Christian and i love Jesus with all of my heart and i have often thougth about alot of the things in your blog!.. adn we haev the same name, weird, eh?
><> Jen
P.S. I'll keep reading! thanks for the insite
That is so funny, Jennifer! I googled my name too, and "Jennifer Cote" is also the name for a woman who is personal assistant to Catherine Zetta Jones. SO cOol you are a Christian. Yeah.
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