“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV
I sat in the middle of a team devotion (for Christmas) and tears began to pool in my eyes. If I started crying I didn’t think I was going to stop, the holiday feels were already feeling in full force. Someone shared about the humility of God coming and clothing himself as a child, (Spoiler alert: You can’t get any more humble than a baby.) And something just struck me different about the humility of God being willing to do that for us, and the waterworks were cued. She went on to share about the mystery of God’s silence between the story arc from the Old Testament to New, and not a peep was heard from Heaven for 400 years. That silence was broken by the sound of a baby’s cry, Emmanuel, God with us. What a miraculous gift you are to us Jesus!
I don’t like admitting that the busyness of this season makes me a little (or a lot) wonky. Picking up extra food for one party, presents for another, everyone is having concerts, performances or parties and the most wonderful time of year starts feeling a little less than wonderful. Where is the time to peacefully fixate on the miracle, the wonder, and the joy of Jesus this holiday season?
As much as many of us would like to, we can’t give ourselves more time in the day. However, I’m trying something new this year, and hoping that it helps you too: even if you can’t spend hours slowing down try to get creative with the time that you DO have.
- Waiting in line at the store, at a drop off or a pickup? Take that time to pray for someone who is in need. Think about people from church, friends of your kids or even a family member. Thank God that he is already at work in their lives, and pray for the presence of Jesus to bless them this holiday season.
- Take a moment when you get home. Can I tell you a secret? When I get home….I don’t always go inside right away. Sometimes I put on a song and give myself a minute, sometimes I pull up a favorite Psalm to read. And sometimes I just get quiet and reconnect with Jesus. In a season where most of us are constantly going or coming taking a moment in the middle of the busyness can help you to slow down and recalibrate. (Pro tip: Let the kids, friends or family go in the house while you take the pause, it keeps everybody from getting squirrely in the car!)
- Deliberately pause when you wake up or go to bed. My favorite place to do this is next to the Christmas tree. I like getting up early, but sometimes there’s a bit of night owl in me too. Taking a pause just to sit next to the Christmas tree has helped me to take take things down a notch (or ten) at a part of the day that is more conducive to slowness and reflection. You can play music, or just let yourself get quiet. Whatever it looks like for you, unplugging the power of stress and plugging back into the presence of Jesus is a wonderful way to keep him at the center of Christmas.
May your days be merry, bright and full of the gift that Jesus is!
So much love,
Joy