A Perfect Christmas
Christmas is supposed to be two things:
1. The celebration of birth of Jesus
2. A time for the family to get together
Sadly, this joyous occasion is for many a time of stress, tempers, and despair. Part of the reason is we worry too much about making it glorious and absolutely perfect. We lay out huge dinners and put up elaborate displays and often let the traditions drown out the purpose. The stress of seeking perfection often ruins the holiday for eveyone. But there is a way to have a perfect, nearly stress-free, Christmas. Let's have a look at our Lord Himself and see what He says.
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her." (Luke 10: 38 - 42 NASB)
Jesus essentially told Martha that He would rather have her sit next to her sister and spend time with Him rather than on a big meal. He would have been satisfied with their idea of bread and cold-cuts because He was seeking their company above all else. Martha meant well but her concern for a perfect dinner interfered with the whole purpose of Jesus being in that house.
Does that happen at Christmas in your house? Would the children rather have a fancy meal, or would they rather have their parents and grandparents spend time with them and have a very simple meal? The key to a perfect Christmas is to keep it simple and center it on the people around you.
1. The celebration of birth of Jesus
2. A time for the family to get together
Sadly, this joyous occasion is for many a time of stress, tempers, and despair. Part of the reason is we worry too much about making it glorious and absolutely perfect. We lay out huge dinners and put up elaborate displays and often let the traditions drown out the purpose. The stress of seeking perfection often ruins the holiday for eveyone. But there is a way to have a perfect, nearly stress-free, Christmas. Let's have a look at our Lord Himself and see what He says.
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her." (Luke 10: 38 - 42 NASB)
Jesus essentially told Martha that He would rather have her sit next to her sister and spend time with Him rather than on a big meal. He would have been satisfied with their idea of bread and cold-cuts because He was seeking their company above all else. Martha meant well but her concern for a perfect dinner interfered with the whole purpose of Jesus being in that house.
Does that happen at Christmas in your house? Would the children rather have a fancy meal, or would they rather have their parents and grandparents spend time with them and have a very simple meal? The key to a perfect Christmas is to keep it simple and center it on the people around you.
posted by shoprat at 11:31 AM
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