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Friday, December 14, 2012

For fellow Christmas-bearers


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The list gets longer, the time gets shorter and you are responsible for it all coming together.  Sound familiar? 

Late one night as I sat in the living room all alone looking at the soft lights flicker {which is possibly my favorite part of the Christmas season} and thinking of all the things that needed to be done before the big day, I felt totally overwhelmed.  That seems to happen to me every year around this time.  And every year I wonder why in the world I let it get to me.  Why don't I just keep it simple {and actually keep it simple} and then call it quits and enjoy the real reason for the season?

Then, I usually add to the drama by getting really frustrated with my husband because I realize that I pretty much carry the weight of making it all happen.  I remember back when we first started dating, I'd go to his house and the kitchen table would be full of Christmas presents.  He would come up with an idea for each person and then actually do the shopping.  All. on. his. own.

But then it happened.  He got a wife.

I read something that has given me a completely different perspective.

I realize the burden I carry during this season is intensified by my own idea of how things must be.  Perfect tree, perfect lights, perfectly wrapped presents, and a perfectly clean house in the midst of it all.  Not to mention the desire to be so sure our children know and understand the real meaning of Christmas and still enjoy the excitement of Santa and all the gifts.  What should we tell them?  What should we not tell them?  Should we even 'do' Santa?  How can we be sure to teach that Christmas is about Jesus and giving and not about gifts and getting?  I torture myself wanting to be sure we do it all right!

So as I was busily working on more get-it-just-right nonsense the other day, I stopped to take a breather.  I sat down to read and this is what I came across....

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:26-38


From the very beginning, women have been the bearers of Christmas!  So, fellow-bearers, consider yourselves in very good company!
{Taken from Encouraging Beautiful Motherhood}

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another cook.
 
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - it profits me nothing.
 
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ - I have missed the point.
 
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
 
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
 
Love doesn't envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
 
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
 
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
 
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails.
 
Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.
~Sharon Jaynes

May God give you grace to accept the imperfections and the strength to carry on!

5 comments:

Amy said...

Couldn't agree more big sis!! Love ya!

Anonymous said...

Love this post Beffy! We all know I like my decorations to be just perfect! Just chill out dude, thats what I have to tell myself. Love you!

Mamy K

Beth said...

I love y'all! And I'm so thankful God gave me sisters :-)

jeff and rebecca said...

My love to the Colvin family. Pray that you all have a blessed Christmas! Tell your mom I am sending her a little something this week. Hope she gets it before Christmas. Take Care!

Beth said...

Thank you Beccer!!! We love you too! And hope that y'all have a very Merry Christmas! I will tell her! xoxox