I've been counting down the days, listening to Christmas music constantly, baking, shopping, wrapping, and caroling. I love this time of year and all that it brings. Or what it doesn't bring, in our case... no snow :( I just would like it to slow down a little, a smidgen. I want to take it all in, do everything Christmas and bask in every minute. But, it doesn't work that way. I know as soon as Thanksgiving is wrapped up and the last piece of pie is eaten, the race to Christmas begins. The "race", sometimes it really does feel that way. Time spinning before your eyes and you wonder how it is December 23rd and you don't have it all done. I didn't want to get caught up in the nauseating chaos of Christmas this year. I wanted more of a focus on Jesus, I didn't want to miss the reason for this blessed season. So, I decided I would do just that....make Him first this season. How would I accomplish this task I have set on in such a busy season? I started reading The Greatest Gift Unwrapping The Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp. I absolutely love this book. It is a devotional with a reading for everyday and some points to ponder at the end of the chapter. I'm loving how everyday starts off with Jesus at the forefront, before any of my thoughts escape to the dizzying chaos of this season. I am still a little crazy over all the things on my to-do list that need to be checked off before my chalkboard countdown says time is out, but I will rest in the fact that Jesus is my peace amongst all the chaos.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9 NIV
The gift we have received, the gift of Jesus shouldn't be celebrated just at Christmas...but, everyday.
So, as I struggle to keep it all together this holiday season. I will hold tight in the knowledge of knowing my Savior and receiving the greatest gift of all...Salvation.
May God bless you and your family this holiday season. The greatest gift isn't under the tree in the bright, shiny paper but living in our hearts as we welcome the baby Jesus this Christmas.
