The stress of the Season caught up to me today.
It manifested itself in bloodshot eyes and tears that kept spilling
no matter how hard I tried to hold them back.
A temper that flared all too easily.
Knees that stood rigid instead of going down
and talking with the One who beckoned me to be still...
And so, reminded that it's His season and not mine,
just as every season is,
I'm letting the laundry, the gift wrapping, the to-do's,
the toys on the floor, the lunch that has yet to be made
(the boys can watch a recorded show for just a bit longer)
all. just. be.
Jesus. Emmanuel.
God With Us.
Let us turn our focus on you.
Let me look to you. Alone.
I re-read His birth story. That beautiful true tale.
Somehow we - I - forget that there was so much risk involved
Yet none at all.
What God has planned, so it will be.
Oh, how He loves us. Oh, that sweet love.
There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.
It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle -- the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture.
(from The Jesus Storybook Bible, a definite favorite...)
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My heart has been battling within me this Christmas with how to instill and impress on my children that this is a time to focus on Jesus -- that all the presents, Santa, the elves, the snowmen, and all the other holiday fun is just that, fun. We enjoy watching "The Polar Express" and every morning we have fun looking for Henry the Elf (of Elf on the Shelf). They know that Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus' birthday, and they know who Jesus is -- but do they KNOW Him? Do they get emotional thinking of how God Himself donned flesh, blood, and bones? And how He did all of this in accordance to every scripture? Just for us??
There are some things, presentations, and traditions that have really impressed the true meaning of this time on me that I would love to pass on to my boys. Some are for the now, some are definitely for the future, but I'm placing them here as a reminder to myself as well as passing along to friends who might be on the lookout for similar ideas.
The Jesse Tree - this is a "must" on my list of traditions to begin next Christmas. Regretfully I did not prepare my heart or all of these daily devotionals to begin it this year.
Star of Bethlehem - This presentation is one of the most powerful I have ever witnessed. It speaks to both my right- and left-brain, if that makes sense... It appeals to my scientific, intellectual and analytical senses as well as my heart and faith. 2,000 years later and the stars still proclaim His presence!
Behold the Lamb of God - I had heard of Andrew Peterson's fabulous Christmas music tour a long time ago, and had listened to the music. It's a beautiful compilation of the story of Jesus, starting back with Moses in the Old Testament. Our church recently did this whole entire program, and oh. my. It's truly an experience. Take a listen - you can hear the entire album online.
