Staring at the computer screen, I breathed out a heavy sigh. I closed out what I was doing and placed my head in my hands. “I’m done with Christmas,” I muttered to no one but myself.
With another trip on the calendar, I’ve been hard at work with Christmas shopping, wrapping, and mailing packages before we leave. Nothing is cooperating with my schedule. One gift I ordered arrived in the mail damaged, a photo gift arrived with the image distorted, and the project I was working on at the computer failed.
As I struggled with my frustrations, my own voice echoed in my mind. It was just the day before that I had talked with my youngest about Christmas. He had been talking about the presents he hoped to receive. I asked him, “Why do we celebrate Christmas?” He answered, “We celebrate baby Jesus being born.” “Right,” I answered. “And that means it’s not about the presents.”
It’s not about the presents.
I’ve gotten so wrapped up in details and deadlines and finding the perfect gifts at the perfect price that I’d forgotten what this holiday is all about.
It’s not about the presents. Nor is it about the decorations. It’s not about getting the tree up on time. It’s not about getting the perfect family photo for this year’s Christmas card. It’s not about all the little things I spend my time thinking about this season.
It’s about Jesus.
When my heart isn’t focused on Him, the holidays will threaten to steal my joy. Because joy comes from the Lord, not from a picture perfect holiday. Joy comes from knowing the Giver of all good gifts, not being a giver of good gifts. It comes from being wrapped in the grace of the gospel, not from piles of perfectly wrapped gifts. And it comes from following Christ, not from following the latest holiday sales and deals.
This Christmas season, I want my heart to be on that hill with the shepherds, watching in wonder at the news brought by thousands of angelic beings.
I want my heart to be in the humble stable, among the sheep and donkeys, and the smell of fresh-cut hay, beholding the Christ-child in the feeding trough.
I want my heart to leave home and travel thousands of miles, just to lay my gifts and my very self at the feet of my Savior.
I want my heart to consider and ponder all these things, that a holy God would humble Himself to become Immanuel, God with us.
This Christmas, I want my heart to be moved, shaken, awed, awakened, changed, and humbled by Jesus, the Savior of the world.
What are your expectations for this Christmas season?
Counting His grace with friends: (#1981-1990)
The Holy Spirit who prompts my heart when I’ve gone down the wrong path
His grace that pulls me back to Him and reminds me of what my heart longs for most of all
The opportunity to focus on the gift of grace this Christmas season
A friend who rescued me from my computer problems and actually completed my gift project for me
Playing countless games of Battleship with my 5 year old when he was sick this past week
Camping at the beach with my church family
watching dolphins play in the water
all the kids running, playing, fishing, climbing trees
A community that shares-especially their marshmallows:)
Linking up with these friends:
What a wonderful and much-needed reminder to keep Christ the center. And how easy it is for even MOMS to forget that’s not about the presents! LOL! Thank you for the gentle nudge to worship the right One in the right way this holiday season!
Thanks! Just sharing the nudge I was given:) Blessings!
Oh friend, this is so true. It’s not about the presents. I’ve told my kids there will most likely be one gift under the tree, of a minimal amount. It’s hard. We are use to giving our kids a few things, but with hubby’s unemployment benefits now running out, we’ve had to scale back. It’s forcing me to focus on what is truly important. This Christmas I want to be drawn closer to Him. I want to see Him, really see Him, and I want to show others the way to Him.
Yes! To really see Him, I want that to. To see past and beyond all the trimmings and stuff that blind us to the real gift that is Christ. May He bless you this Christmas season!
Beautiful and so true! Love, Traci My friend Jane has started Monday Morning Meditation… I’m participating, will you?
https://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2012/12/check-out-new-monday-morning-meditation.html
Thanks for stopping by Traci and for telling me about the new link up. Blessings!
I want my heart in those places, too, throughout the whole Christmas season this year. That’s why I have purposed two simple aims to keep that focus (as I wrote about, l think one post back from today’s…) It seems we really need to set our purpose in that direction, doesn’t it, or the holidays will steal… a lot? Thanks for sharpening my focus in the right direction. Blessings!
We’ve had similar thoughts about Christmas and where our focus needs to be. Praying for grace to see Him and not all the details of Christmas. I enjoyed your post too:)
Beautifully said my friend.
Thank you, Jenifer!
yes…I have been all over the chart on Christmas…and God has brought me to a sweet settled place…each family has to find their own way to celebrate…one that adds to the season…not take away. I am thankful too for how He comes to steer us away from the wrong path…He is so faithful…blessings to you my friend~
Thanks, Ro. Yes, a sweet settled place, that’s my heart’s desire. Blessings to you!
I’m visiting from Ann’s. Enjoying your list today.
Thank you! So glad you stopped by!
I’ve had times like that, Christina. Where everything I was striving to do was entangled with troubles. I know those moments are holy opportunities that God has given me to focus on Him-the Redeemer of all of my troubles and messes. It sounds as if you have given Him that focus and are now reminding us of what Christmas is really all about. I needed that pause, that redirection, my friend. Thanks for being His vessel to convey it!
Thank you. And may we encourage one another to stay on the path and remain focused on Him. Because He is the gift!
Oh, friend. It’s so easy to get caught up in the gifts. I’m so glad Jesus knocked gentle on your heart, and you? You let Him in. A good example for us all.
Thanks, Laura. You always have a kind word and I appreciate it:) May He bless your heart richly this season.
So glad you were able to get things back into their proper perspective - and with plenty of time to prepare your heart for Christmas!
He was gracious to pull me back and remind me of what is true. Left on my own, I would still be wallowing and stressed out:) Blessings to you!
It is about Jesus and praise God for His grace when we forget. Love your post and your honesty. I always do. You are a blessing, my friend!
Thanks, Kari! And you always encourage me! Amen-praise Him for His grace!
It’s a struggle every year isn’t? Between what our heart longs for and what we need to do that gets in the way. Hoping you find that place of peace in it all. I’m trying to do the same.
It is a struggle. Just like everything else in life. Maintaining focus and walking in faith. All part of the journey. Thanks for stopping by!
Joy comes from knowing the Giver of all good gifts, not being a giver of good gifts. - such wise words but easy to forget.
Oh, yes! And I am so forgetful! I’m so thankful for His grace which gently nudges and reminds me. Thanks for visiting!
“Because joy comes from the Lord, not from a picture perfect holiday” AMEN!
Thanks, Eileen! It’s something I need to remind myself of because I get so distracted. Blessings!
Bless you! Wonderful post!
Thanks, Rhonda! And thanks for visiting!
A very good post, Christina…and a timely reminder. It’s not about the gifts, the decorations, or the meals. It’s about celebrating the love of Christ!
Isn’t that a glimpse of life, in general, though? We get so focused on trying to bolster our own sense of Joy that we forget our source of Joy. True Joy comes only from resting in Christ!
Thanks for the great reminder!
So very true. It’s not just at Christmas time that I forget what’s important. Praying for eyes that remain focused on Him all the year through. Blessings to you!
“I want my heart to be moved, shaken, awed, awakened, changed, and humbled by Jesus, the Savior of the world.” <——- Me, too! I loved that, Christina!
Thanks, Jennifer! Praying that for both of us this Christmas!
I 100% agree! This year I gave myself a pass from things that traditionally have stressed me out and it has made all the difference. A good thing too, since we ended up fostering a newborn….and WHO has time to worry about mundane stuff when you have a newborn?!
What a great reminder!! Thank you!