Underwhelmed

I have the privilege of co-teaching an 8 grade girl's class at church.  These young ladies are absolutely amazing!!!  This past Sunday we talked about how the Christmas story can become so commonplace that it loses its significance.  Like many of the stories in scripture, they become so familiar that we can recite them without feeling the weight of the story itself. 

But this shouldn't be. 

Think about it.  Generations of Israelites have lived without a hearing a word from the Father.  Silence.  Deafening silence.  Many Israelites began making up rules and traditions that they thought would help them win God's favor until the promised Messiah would come.  Some just lost hope and eventually stopped believing altogether. 

However, some continued to pass the prophecies down to their children and grandchildren.  They believed their God was faithful and would fulfill His promises.  They knew that one day the story of the Messiah would no longer remain only a story.  That one day Emmanuel would become flesh and be with His people.

400 years.

Silence broken by an infant's cry. 

Silence broken by angels singing of the long awaited Messiah.

Silence broken as men and women who had lost hope began to believe.

Maybe this year your heart has been silent.  You aren't in the Christmas Spirit and the holidays seem monotonous and lackluster.  It could be that you have lost a loved one this year, or that you aren’t spending the holidays with family and friends.  Maybe this year the Christmas story has become underwhelming and commonplace in your life.  You aren't alone.  We have all been there. 

Father, overwhelm us with You and the undeserved gift of your Son.  Remind us of the hope that only you can give.  Break through the silence in our hearts and show us your glory.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Christmas is my favorite time of year.  It is also the most stressful.  I know I am not telling you anything you don't already know.  But I think it helps me to just put it out there; acknowledge the craziness.  Adding birthdays, a new niece, anniversaries and family in from out of town, this December is more than a little hectic. 

Yet in the midst of the madness, I find myself not feeling exhausted, but exhilarated!  I love the hustle and bustle.  I love the mall and crowds.   I love the electricity in the atmosphere. 

At the same time, I also cherish the quiet moments in the living room sitting in front of our Christmas tree.  It is so peaceful to snuggle up on the couch with my family and just "be" for a moment.  Strangely, it always seems so much easier to do this during the holidays, when days are short and schedules are full. 

Maybe because we make time for it. 

Maybe because we want our children to have great memories.

Maybe because we want to cling to this time of year because we know January is just around the corner and life will be back to normal.

Maybe because it is in the quiet that we stop thinking about the gifts we need to buy and the parties we need to attend and focus on the true reason for the holidays.

Hope.

Love.

A fulfilled promise.

The Savior.

This Christmas I choose to allow more time to just "be."  Be present.  Be grateful.  Be intentional.  Be the hands and feet of Christ to everyone around me. 

But I want this to last longer than December 31.  I want this to last throughout the year.  Every year. 

May this Christmas we cherish the gift of rest and peace found in Jesus, and make the choice to carry it through the year.  So when mid-summer rolls around and our days are packed with summer activities, remind yourself to just "be."