There are lots of things to do…
Lots of cards to send.
Lots of presents to buy.
Lots of baking to do.
Lots of decorations to put up.
Lots of activities to attend.
Lots of presents to wrap.
Lots of food to eat.
Lots of extra work to attend to.
Lots of…. Lots of…. Lots of….
Do you feel like this and almost overwhelmed?
I’m not saying there is anything wrong with this. I love
Christmas and do what I can to make it a wonderful time of year. In fact this
year is going to be so special, as I have two of my daughters and their families
coming to stay so we are going to have grandchildren around and the house will
be fill of excited children, chatter, maybe even tired tears but oh so many good
memories to make. I know when it is all over I will be happily exhausted!
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| Tricia Goyer |
Here is a little of what it said:
"These days there is more than enough Christmas cheer to go
around. There are holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and children’s programs.
There are gifts to buy, and maybe cards to mail and homes to decorate as bright
and beautiful as the magazine covers on the rack at the grocery store. Yet
there is little peace. And on some busy, frantic holidays I’m certain that I’ve
forgotten that the whole thing is supposed to be about the Prince of Peace
As I listened I was drawn to the thought of escaping away
somewhere to stop and reflect. Over the last few years I have made a point of
having a break away either at a retreat or somewhere where I can have a couple
of days resting without having to do all the work, in November. It’s something I
learnt to do after my breakdown – part of looking after myself. The days in
December have fast filled up with all those things to do and I have circled a
day on the calendar and called it “Day Off”. I am not going to do any ‘work’
work or Christmas prep. There are no activities to attend. I am going to use the
day to sit and read, pamper myself and maybe do some gardening or generally
just sit.
Isaiah 9:6
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.
In the Amish home, preparations for Christmas start a few
days (not a few months) before the holiday. If gifts are given, they are simple
gifts for the children, there is often an Amish school Christmas program that
focuses on Christ. In fact, in a book for Amish schoolteachers a new verse to
the familiar carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was added:
O little In of Bethlehem
How like we are to you;
Our lives are crowded to the brim
With this and that to do
We’re not unfriendly to the King,
We mean well without doubt;
We have no hostile feelings,
We merely crowd Him out.
It seems even the youngest Amish children know what Prince
needs to reign in their Christmas! Can you make an effort to remember the same?"
When I was putting up my Christmas Trees I was listening to one of my Cliff Richard's Christmas CD’s and a song came on “Christmas is Quiet”
When I was putting up my Christmas Trees I was listening to one of my Cliff Richard's Christmas CD’s and a song came on “Christmas is Quiet”
I encouraged the group to do the same and ended with the
prayer from the book:
"Dear heavenly Father, forgive me for my busy plans that tend
to push You out. Help me to focus my thoughts on You today. It is there that I
will find peace."
I encourage you to take time out and reflect on the true
meaning of Christmas ... that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die
for us so our sin will not separate us from Him. We celebrate His birth each
Christmas.
I wish you a Christmas full of Peace.
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