You.  Yes YOU.  I have two words for you: STOP IT.

Stop the Christmas cookie making.

Stop the rushing to the mall for gifts.

Stop all the church activities every night this week.

Stop all the Christmas wrapping.

Stop rushing.

STOP IT.

Do I sound like a Dr. Seuss book yet?

It’s just a few days before Christmas, yet it will feel like it went by in two minutes, and we will be incredibly exhausted.  Why do we do this to ourselves?  I’m still asking why I buy presents for family members that I don’t even know!

We in ministry know the Christmas story, we know it inside and out. We’ve preached it, written programs on it, and revolved our calendars around it.  Yet, many times, we tend not to really reflect on the greatness of what God has done for us.

This post has nothing super spiritual or profound in it.  All it really is is just a reminder- STOP IT.  Cut your Christmas budget in half, grab a coffee and Christmas cookie (that someone else made, lol), and sit by your lit tree.  Sit and reflect on the goodness of Jesus and what the season is really about.  Put the family in the car and just drive to look at lights.  Remember when we would just go for a drive? It can be so relaxing.

We preach that Jesus is the reason for the season, now let’s live it. Let’s be Marys in this Martha craziness and lay at our Savior’s feet. Then, let’s spend quality time with our families.  One day our kids will be grown and out of the house.  We will not get these Christmas times back.  Take advantage of it now while you have it.

PRAY WITH ME SISTER:

“Lord, I ask your forgiveness where I have ran and ran without taking the time to just be with you.  Help me where I have made too much out of ‘what I need to get done’ this season instead of using it as a time to reflect on your goodness.  Help my family and I draw closer together this season instead of apart with all the things that ‘have to get done’.  Help us to relax together and make memories.  Thank you for this time that we celebrate you sending LOVE down to us.  Thank you for the gift of your Son, who is our Savior and why we celebrate. In Jesus Name, AMEN.”

Tell me!  How are you choosing to relax this year?  What are you purging from you life to slow down this season?