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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, December 2, 2008
CHRISTMAS ALREADY!?
Can you believe it is only 23 days until Christmas? I am having a hard time realizing that. It seems I just put the Christmas decorations away a few weeks ago. I keep telling my husband that if time keeps going by so fast, I think I will just sit down and watch it go by!
It is so easy for many of us to begin to think of all the things we would like to do BEFORE Christmas: decorate the house, maybe the yard, sent cards, write a few "catch-up" letters to those we have not written to since last Christmas, bake cookies and candy, visit some shut-ins and sick ones, and of course shopping for those special gifts on our gift list that seems to somehow be longer than the one last year. WHEW, it makes me tired just thinking about it.
The above lists are all things that I normally enjoy doing. They are activities that can be classified as good and they could be a blessing to someone else. However, the truth is, it is impossible for me to accomplish all of them. So what should I do?
Here are a few suggestions that have proved to be a help to me and I hope will be helpful to you:- Stop and consider what the real reason for Christmas is. It is to remember the birth of our Lord and Savior. It is not to work ourselves to death or to impress others with our cooking, baking or expensive gifts.
- If Jesus were again in his physical body and with you there at home, what activities would please Him?
- Make a list of what you would like to do, and then honestly pray and ask the Lord to lay on your heart those things THAT HE WANTS YOU TO DO.
- Make a list of those you are considering giving a gift to, and pray about this list. Ask yourself what the motive behind the gift is.
- Consider a gift that does not cost in the normal sense. For example: a "coupon" for a cake on a Sunday of the receivers choice, a couple hours free baby-sitting, relieving someone for an afternoon that has a bed-fast love one to care for, offering to take a handicapped or elderly person shopping in the future, etc. Often the most precious gifts do not cost money but rather time and ourselves.
- Discuss with your family the real meaning of Christmas and determine to keep it up front in all that you do during this Christmas season.
- DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR QUIET TIME WITH THE LORD FOR ANY REASON!
- Be careful not to get caught up in the hectic and stress that the world seems to create at Christmas.
- Everything does not have to be perfect! To often our pride and own expectations dictate our attitude and activities.
- Remember the best gift we can give our family is a sweet, patient and loving spirit. This will only be possible if Christ really is the center of all we do during this CHRISTmas season.
If you have any other good suggestions to share, we would love to hear about them. Please take a few minutes and write in our guest book. God bless you as you live for Him!
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- Sandy Hastings |
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