The Reason

Saturday morning began with a list of things that needed to be accomplished. The house was a mess, the dogs needed a bath, Christmas shopping still needed to be finished and groceries purchased for the week.

I started with the bedding and after it began washing I turned on some Christmas music and began cleaning. The whole atmosphere seemed chaotic and I felt like I was going in circles. Then I heard the words, “seek first His kingdom,” in my head and knew that I needed to stop and first spend my quiet time with God.

I turned off the music, kenneled the dogs then sat on the couch and invited in the stillness. My devotional was about how accelerated life is becoming. Everything is so fast pace and we find ourselves trying to keep up especially during the holidays. The pressure to get the perfect gift, attend all the parties, decorate and make sure to mail the Christmas cards on time, all add up to forgetting what it is all about anyway.

We watched a show on TV the other day called the Great Christmas Light Fight where families compete to see who can decorate their homes the most extravagantly and outrageously for Christmas. The amount of time and money that goes into each creation is incredible.

One couple mentioned that they have to start decorating two months in advance to make sure all the displays and lights are set up and working properly. That takes some dedication. While I do enjoy driving around town and seeing the Christmas lights, at times I find the extreme displays a bit hectic with all the fast moving lights and dancing yard displays.

I think that’s why when I come across a simple manger scene it quiets the world down a bit. No laser show or moving Santas. No over sized snowmen or other cartoon characters. Just a tiny baby in a quiet manger surrounded by simple people in awe of the new born King.

We found this years’ Brock ornament in Mexico. It was a small gourd that was hollowed out and had a tiny nativity scene inside. It was so simple, yet feels so precious to hold in my hands. A simply beautiful reminder of the Reason for the Season.

Restarting my morning with Him set the mood for the entire day. Although it seemed like the rest of the town was finishing their shopping at the same time, I was able to find peace in the chaos. I had opportunities to talk with other shoppers and even survived the over crowded parking lots.

I was grateful for the reminder of the reason for season….My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

My Prayer

Father, thank you for a reason to celebrate. Thank you for sending Your son in such a precious and humble way. Thank you for the peace that He brought and for the hope and promise that He gave. Help us to make Him first this season and in the New Year. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Luke 2: 10-12

 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”