Day #3 CCD: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Sometimes I wonder whether this Christmas will better than the previous years.  I always build up so much expectation for Christmas day that sometimes, I have to pinch myself to make sure my perfectionist tendencies don't prevail.

What I really do want though, is JUST to have a happy, merry Christmas day.  One where the kids don't argue over anything, I don't yell at anyone, and the camera works as it's supposed to.

Isn't that what every mother wants?

Day #3

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Let your heart be light.
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight.

Christmas can seem like a rat race at times. There is all of the hectic last-minute shopping at crowded malls, struggling to find the perfect gift for someone, the decorating of the house (including checking every single bulb on the strand of lights to find the one at the very end that shorted out the rest), wrapping present after present after present, or preparing for your extended family take over your house for the day. It is easy to get lost in the busyness of Christmas, and to miss the things that are really important.

We see this happen in the book of Luke, when Jesus went to eat in the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha spent her time running around cooking, serving dinner, and cleaning. These were all very good things, but “busy” things. Meanwhile, Mary sat in the company of Jesus. When Martha asked Jesus to tell her to work too, He told her, “Mary has chosen what is better.”

Jesus is trying to tell us to live in the moment. It is great that you are willing to be like Martha, and make sure that all of the popcorn is strung up, but it is not worth missing the opportunity to have a real conversation with a family member you don’t see often, or when your child’s face lights up because Santa indeed got that letter and delivered exactly what they asked for. It is not about all that we have to do, the list of things we have check off, but it is all about the moment.

This year, don’t miss out on what is better. Take the opportunity to enjoy the time you have with friends and family. Take time not to worry about the things you have to do, but to enjoy the people you get to be with. Be present where you are, because that is what is better, and have yourself a merry little Christmas.

Questions:

What are some things you need to take off the list to make yourself become more like Mary?

What are the better things that you will choose to be a part of this Christmas?

To be more like Mary, I definitely need to let go of Pride. I think that it's at the top of my list on most days.

And instead, I must choose to forgive and admit that I am wrong. I think it is essential for me to do this if I want my children to grow up as humble people too.

Please remember that I’m following the Carols: A Christmas Devotional plan from The (free) Bible App.  I invite you to join me, for 25 days, by commenting or linking or both!  And tweet me with #25DaysCCD so I won’t miss your post.  ;)

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