These days as we anticipate the arrival of the Christmas season, we are inundated with messages of "hustle and bustle" from the culture around us. Already the commercials and advertisements for the latest and greatest "favorites" and "wants" assault our eyes and ears. It's hard not to get caught up in it all…even the silent competitions of who can pick out the better gift, make the best cookie, decorate the prettiest tree, or create the cutest family photo card… Sometimes, we can find our peace and joy dwindling away and being exchanged for stress! There's a lot of pressure - on moms especially - to get it all just right.
And so I sit this morning and think about how I will fit it all in this year in the midst of moving our family to a new state. And the reality is - I won't. It's that simple. And that's okay.
I am drawn to consider, instead, the privilege of sharing Jesus.
"Jesus You're the sign, Jesus You're the wonder, You're the miracle - there is no other!"
-- Harvest Bashta
We are now His vessels to spread the Good News the angels sang about in Luke 2.
Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us"... So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them. Luke 2:13-18 AMP
The Shepherds' response to this angelic message was to go straight to Bethlehem to see what they had heard about. A Savior born. And once they had seen, they began to share. They began telling others about what they had heard and seen for themselves. And people were astounded and full of wonder.
And so questions pepper my thoughts as I read these beloved scriptures… Now that I am found, am I stewarding my commission to share with others Who found me? Is heavenly peace and joy emanating from me in this celebration of the Savior's arrival? Is there a sense of devotion to tell others why He came and what He offers? Am I allowing this high-priority purpose to be shelved in order to appease cultural demands?
Lord, It's the perfect time to tell others about You. To let our traditions and celebrations be signs that point to the Savior of the world. Make us vessels that reveal Your mysteriously beautiful love for us. Let our homes be a place of encounter for the lost and broken. Infuse our traditions and celebrations with Your love, joy and peace and let Your presence rest upon us. As Brian Johnson sings, "For the sake of the world, burn like a fire in me. Light a flame in my soul for every eye to see." Amen.
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