Christmas Crazy!

This time of year can get pretty hectic with all the parties, kid’s concerts, present buying, decorating, baking, cooking, Elf on the shelf, Santa, advent, and all the other stuff that goes on with the Christmas season. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of activities to try to build memories for our families. We have the best intentions…really. According to the Facebook posts there are women out there they do it all, effortlessly?

But the stress of “doing it all” is just that stressful! Pile that on with heaps of guilt for snapping at our kids, getting frustrated at our husbands for not helping enough, and the exhaustion from cramming everything into our tight schedules and the joy of Christmas becomes replaced with the “franticness” of the getter dun mentality. “I will rest after December 25th.” Cause getting ready for New Year’s Eve/Day, taking down decorations, and starting our resolutions doesn’t consume any time right?

On the way to school today God spoke to my heart, “Kimberley, remember, It’s not what you do, it is who you are! Your family will remember the gifts of hugs, kisses, love, and time spent together. All that other stuff is not bad but it is certainly not necessary for your kids to experience the real meaning of Christmas. They are watching who you are more than all the great things you do for them.”

The birth of Jesus is the reminder of the hope and future we have because of Him. Joy to the world the Lord has come!

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:10-14

Christmas Is Over...Now What?

I was FINALLY taking down my Christmas tree on Sunday and I realized I was a little sad. First, because I knew it would take me forever, but also because a very important season had come to an end. Gone were the smells of cinnamon candles, lights on my mantle, festive decorations that made my house feel warm, lots of family time, and the expectation of excitement that fills the air.  As I was wrapping up an ornament that said, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" I stopped and thought hmmm, I wonder if he would be okay with being just part of a season. We do give him two big ones, Easter and Christmas but often he isn't quite as popular the rest of the year. Schedules, relationships, work, hobbies, sports, sin, life in general.... all get in the way and kind of push Him to the background. He stops being the focus or the center of our lives. We come down from the whirlwind of the holidays and race off to "fix" ourselves and our families. Maybe we subconsciously forget that Jesus shouldn't be contained to certain times of the year but so ingrained into our everyday lives that his light shines ALL the time. What would it look like if Christians had the "spirit of Christmas" year round? What if we talked to him and about him on every holiday? What if we zeroed in on who he is every day? What if our actions and words matched up to show the world that OUR JESUS IS NOT JUST THE REASON FOR THE SEASON but He is the reason we are here! I might have packed away my decorations but I am not going to pack away my Jesus..not this year.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."

Matthew 5:14-15