I consider myself to be a fairly organized individual. I make a to do list, I have my bills on my calendar. I manage my time somewhat efficiently at home as well as work. All in all, I’m pretty productive, I think… Yet somehow, once again, the Christmas season snuck up on me. Truth be told, my mind wasn’t really on the holidays, even though Christmas is one of my most favorite times of the year. It wasn’t until my best friend was talking about Christmas gifts that I realized, “Oh yeah, I need to buy some of those!”
So I sat down to plan my gift giving enterprise. But as I sat there, I had to ask myself, “Why have I not been thinking about the holidays?” “Why am I not as excited as I normally am?”
Now, I know that many people will either be really spiritual, or really honest, meaning….
Some people say in one breath, “You should be thinking about Jesus and His birthday, not gifts.” When inside they care JUST as much about gifts as the next person, and will even be offended if you don’t get them something.
Then you have those people who will just come right out and hand deliver you their Christmas gift list, because they have no shame in the fact that they wait all year to get their wish list fulfilled, lol.
But as I sat there pondering my slightly apathetic attitude towards the holiday, I took that moment to really examine myself. Not to give myself a guilt trip because I wasn’t more focused on the birth of Christ, or to think about what I REALLY wanted for Christmas. Instead, I had to be honest with myself and admit that I had allowed work to become a sole priority in my daily life.
Now don’t get me wrong, I truly enjoy and find fulfillment in my work, and I know without a doubt that it is where the Lord has me. But I realized that I am putting so much into it, that I am losing sight of the other things that are important to me. And I didn’t like that very much…
The Lord has blessed me with a very full and wonderful life, but I had become a little one tracked in my day to day activities. I was so focused on work and the tasks of the day that I wasn’t even stopping to enjoy the festivities and joy around me.
I know that the holidays are not all about gifts, but I still want to find joy in giving them to others. Because for me, it is a simple way to show the people around me that, despite the craziness of this world, they are still important to me.
And while I know that we celebrate Jesus’ birth, I don’t want to just think about it in December; I truly want to engulf myself with Him all the time.
For the first time in my life, I started getting tired of holiday music about a week ago. Now, I love ‘Santa Baby’ just as much as the next person, but most days, I listen to the Christian station for a large portion of the day, and I was beginning to really miss my time of worship with the Lord. So yesterday at work, I found the most beautiful song about Jesus' birth. It is called “Born in Me” and the artist is Francesca Battestelli. It brought me to tears because of what my Jesus did for me in being born. Listen to it when you get a chance, it will bless your spirit.
So on this most wondrous of celebrations, take a minute to just enjoy what is around you. Whether it is a Christmas party, worship service or just time alone with God or friends, enjoy it. Drink in the moment and thank the Lord for this beautiful life that He has given to us in Him.
I have included a funny poem that I wrote my junior year in college. I meant it as a gift, but never got that far, lol. It is a slight play off of “The Night Before Christmas.” Hope you enjoy! Merry Christmas All!
For this wondrous reason, I no longer did pout!
My ticket was purchased, my bags almost packed,
The room was all clean, but the thermostat jacked!!!!
My pockets were empty with no cash inside,
"How would I buy presents?" I shouted and cried.
Just then my small brain began churning and groaning,
I had an idea and could stop all my moaning!
I’d write up a poem all sweet and endearing,
And by the end of my rhyme they all would be cheering!
At this time of year we love carols and holly,
We take pictures with fat men who are constantly jolly!
The stockings are hung and the cookies are baked,
The presents are wrapped in all sizes and shapes.
On the eve before Christmas, no child can sleep,
The utter excitement might cause them to creep,
Down the stairs to the presents all waiting below,
That when opened tomorrow will cause such a show!
But why do we bake all those cookies each year?
And why do we wish people merry and cheer?
You see in a manger lay a small baby boy,
Who would bring to the world love, peace and joy!
His birth marked the point of change here on earth,
His death marked the why of our simple worth.
So on this occasion so joyous and grand,
Let’s not forget the birth of the man.
As I end this short rhyme and I turn out the light,
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