The Christmas Season is upon us! Christmas music is playing,
twinkling lights are shining, and there is peace on Earth… or is there? While
every Christmas story starts like this blog, real life during the holidays
often becomes nothing more than hustle and bustle. I have spent the past few
years changing the way Christmas looks in the Rainwater house. My children now
only get 3 gifts each. If 3 gifts were good enough for Jesus, that is surely
enough for my little ones. I have also created an Advent calendar (click to link to my Advent Calendar). Each day the
kids pull out a box and in it is a scripture that is part of the Christmas
story and an “activity”… things as simple as “watch a Christmas movie” or “read
a Christmas book” to more time consuming activities such as “make Christmas ornaments”
or “donate toys to the needy” or “buy something for the person behind you in
line”. Most activities are aimed to point us back to the reason for the season…
Jesus’ birthday!
This weekend at church, the new sermon series encouraged us
to “Pause” and prepare our hearts for Christmas. I had just done a “double
check” with my kids earlier that morning, so I thought I was set. I asked them “What
is Christmas? And why do we celebrate?” My heart jumped for joy when they didn’t
answer presents or trees or Santa or
other symbols of Christmas that too often become the focus. They quickly
responded that is was Jesus’ Birthday! Whew… or maybe not!
As I sat there in church, I felt the Lord ask me “Christie,
what have YOU done to prepare your heart for Christmas?” With young children, I
know I am in a season where my focus is mostly on them and I know that this
season will pass all too soon. But, with that being said, I personally still
need to prepare MY heart to welcome the Savior. I am not sure exactly what this
will look like yet, but I am surely praying about it. I am doing my best to
posture my heart like the wise men to look, purposefully look, on how I can
offer gifts and celebrate the King, and to follow where ever He may lead me. I
am wanting to prepare like Mary… to be ready to say yes to any call He has upon
my life. To prepare like Joseph and understand that things may not look like the
perfect situation, but God is aware and present and using it for His glory. What
do you do to prepare your heart for Christmas? I would love some ideas!
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