What comes to mind when I say the word: Christmas? Is it chaos or calmness?
The hustle amidst the Christmas season causes our stress levels to sky rocket and sets our heads spinning. With added activities and gift-buying responsibilities on our December calendars, we find ourselves on a seasonal treadmill lacking any “slow down” feature. Our minds swirl. And our hearts sink.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14
When the mother of the baby King is mentioned, the hustle halts. She isn’t depicted as scurrying and hurrying. Nope. She is weighing and pondering. Her contemplating goes beyond the commotion, right to the heart of what the hustle is all about: Jesus.
Jesus, the Savior of the world. The hope for the heart-broken; the rest for the worn-out woman; the answer for the maxed-out mom; the truth for the tormented; the way for the wayward; the only calm in our chaos.
Weighing and pondering.
Could we do the same? Could we dare find calm in the Christmas chaos? A holy hush among the hustle? More importantly, could we model for the wide-eyed kids in our lives just how to slow down and, like the Wise Men of old, actually look for the Savior?
If we are intentional, as was Mary, we can suspend the season for a flickering moment; discovering Christ in the chaos and experiencing a holy hush among the hustle. Then, when the last strand of lights is taken down, we can look back on a Christmas season that was blessed, not stressed!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6,7)
How can we keep our eyes focused on the Prince of Peace?
What can you do at this hectic holiday time of year to pause and reflect on the real meaning of the season?
Seek the Savior – we can choose to stress or choose to focus on the reason for the season – The Savior. Many people do not think that this is the most wonderful time of the year. Why is that? Their focus is not on Jesus.
Simplify - We can slow our pace, cut out a few things, stay at home more, miss a party, bake a few less cookies, or find ways to reduce your level of stress. Even though your life during these last few hectic days before Christmas is full and overflowing with activity, peace on earth is possible.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10,11)
Peace on earth. A Savior is born.
The Savior is with us. Let there be peace.
Keep your focus on Christ & have a happy & blessed Christmas.
The hustle amidst the Christmas season causes our stress levels to sky rocket and sets our heads spinning. With added activities and gift-buying responsibilities on our December calendars, we find ourselves on a seasonal treadmill lacking any “slow down” feature. Our minds swirl. And our hearts sink.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14
When the mother of the baby King is mentioned, the hustle halts. She isn’t depicted as scurrying and hurrying. Nope. She is weighing and pondering. Her contemplating goes beyond the commotion, right to the heart of what the hustle is all about: Jesus.
Jesus, the Savior of the world. The hope for the heart-broken; the rest for the worn-out woman; the answer for the maxed-out mom; the truth for the tormented; the way for the wayward; the only calm in our chaos.
Weighing and pondering.
Could we do the same? Could we dare find calm in the Christmas chaos? A holy hush among the hustle? More importantly, could we model for the wide-eyed kids in our lives just how to slow down and, like the Wise Men of old, actually look for the Savior?
If we are intentional, as was Mary, we can suspend the season for a flickering moment; discovering Christ in the chaos and experiencing a holy hush among the hustle. Then, when the last strand of lights is taken down, we can look back on a Christmas season that was blessed, not stressed!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6,7)
How can we keep our eyes focused on the Prince of Peace?
What can you do at this hectic holiday time of year to pause and reflect on the real meaning of the season?
Seek the Savior – we can choose to stress or choose to focus on the reason for the season – The Savior. Many people do not think that this is the most wonderful time of the year. Why is that? Their focus is not on Jesus.
Simplify - We can slow our pace, cut out a few things, stay at home more, miss a party, bake a few less cookies, or find ways to reduce your level of stress. Even though your life during these last few hectic days before Christmas is full and overflowing with activity, peace on earth is possible.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10,11)
Peace on earth. A Savior is born.
The Savior is with us. Let there be peace.
Keep your focus on Christ & have a happy & blessed Christmas.
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