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‘Tis the Season …..
Christmas has always been my most favorite holiday season.
First of all, I love gifts! I love everything about them: the hunt of finding the perfect gift for the special someone, I love the excitement I feel when I finally find it, and I especially love the look on the face of the ones I love as they open and discover the gift.
I love to decorate and bring those special touches into my home and onto my porch. The twinkling little lights are so fun to sit and enjoy on an evening home when all the other lights are out. There is something so hopeful and romantic about it.
I love how a sense of hope and anticipation fills the air. Both kids and adults seem to rekindle the awe of this magical season.
And yet … I find that I have turned into a scrooge.
<GASP>
Yes, I know, you are in shock and quite frankly, so am I. How is it that my most favorite season is now filled with dread, heaviness, and routine? Where is my awe and wonder over this time of year? Where is my excitement and joy in buying gifts? Even the traditions we have made as a family have fallen by the wayside as the busy demands of an overfull ministry and personal schedule fill my day … my week… my month.
Songs lyrics like: ‘Tis the Season to be Jolly…and
It’s the most wonderful time of the year swirl in my head …
When all of the sudden, if this were the movies, you would hear the screech of the needle on the record as the musical score was playing in the background … eeek, it’s then that I realize …
Traditions and busy schedules always seem to come with the season, and yet this year is different. I am different. I am dissatisfied with the demands of life and ministry. I am overwhelmed. I have lost my awe and wonder of the season. What used to be ‘Tis the season to celebrate and remember the reason for the season, has somehow become – ‘Tis the season to be busy!
The busyness isn’t just meetings and mindless activities. In fact, it includes things that are exciting. Such as, my book, Milk, Eggs, Prophecy that has been 5 years in the making is finally done and being sold. I have been diligently working to get the e-book ready as well. My training manual Releasing God’s Heart through Hearing His Voice, that has been in print for 7 years is finally listed on Amazon! Now, I am working to get the Spanish edition listed on Amazon. Then there are the Christmas parties and decorations. The sermons to prepare…. the list goes on. All of these things are good … exciting…. And yet… I feel as if the spark is missing this year. I don’t have the sense of adventure, awe, and wonder that usually comes with the season.
I don’t want to be so busy that I miss the fun and excitement. I don’t want to be so busy that I don’t have time to think about the real reason for the season. I don’t want to be so busy that I don’t have time to hunt for the perfect gift, instead feel rushed and so far behind that I adopt the attitude “any gift will do.”
As I was out shopping Tuesday, in my free hour of the day, I bumped into a friend. We chatted on our hurried way out of the store about how busy we were and how far behind we were in everything: buying Christmas gifts, decorating, baking, and even in celebrating the season. The joy, the anticipation, even the excitement I always get from this time of year seems to be missing. I don’t want it to be, it just is.
I know the real reason for the season is Jesus! As I ponder and think of the first Christmas season so long ago, I wonder, how would Mary finish the statement: ‘Tis the Season…_______________?
Did Mary feel overwhelmed? Would she have said, “‘Tis the season to be overwhelmed?”
Did she feel so busy by the demands of life and from worrying about what others were saying or might think of her as she carried the Christ child? Or did she have a joy? A sense of awe and wonder? Did she have an expectancy? Would she have said, “ “‘Tis the season to be expectant!”
We read in Luke 1:46-55 Mary’s response to the season she is in. She sings a song of Praise.
Mary’s Song[1]
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
As I read the account of Mary and contemplate the season she was in, I can’t help but consider her response. Would mine have been the same? Would yours?
Mary’s response was one of expectancy for the promises the Lord had spoken to her.
Mary’s response was Joy.
Mary’s response was one of singing, rejoicing and trusting. She was embracing the season she was in, looking forward with anticipation, hope, obedience and wonder at the miracle she was participating in.
What about you? How would you finish the sentence: “‘Tis the season to … _______________?
My prayer for us all this season, is to be expectant for the things the Lord wants to do in our lives this Christmas Season and look forward with anticipation for the miracles things He will do with and in us because of His son.
Merry Christmas everyone! ‘Tis the season to Celebrate our Savior’s Birth.
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[1] Biblegateway.com version: NIV
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What a wonderful post, Debbie! My heart began to fill with praise as I was reading Mary’s Song from that passage of Scripture in Luke. I just love that! Thank you so much for sharing, beautiful friend! GOD bless you! 🙂
Thank you so much Tia! It sure did change my day as I read it too – and set my heart pointed in the right direction with the right attitude. Blessings back to you 🙂
Thank you for sharing your heart with the Weekend Whispers community!
Thanks for stopping by Barbie 🙂
You are right. Sometimes it requires looking beyond ourselves and circumstance in order to find true joy for the season. Jesus will is the key every time we wonder away. God bless!
Thanks Jenny! Jesus is always the key no matter what, isn’t He! Blessings
I love this. So true! So needed!
thanks Micah and thanks for your post as well.
It’s so important to share these burdens, to write them down..somehow in the writing and telling we can get back to the heart of Jesus! I wrote a blog last week about creating an intention for Christmas..mine was seeking the heart of Jesus..and each day I return to that..so much so I haven’t done an ounce of shopping and don’t want to! Not sure how that will change..I thought yesterday, maybe my family can give one another a gift of an experience together..a hike, making a special dinner, going to the movies..we’ll see! But because of making an intention..I found myself calmer this year. I hear from you that you’re getting back to the best place you can be this Christmas, nearest to Jesus..where all else will be given! May you be blessed with the joy of the Lord this season! Visiting from #raralinkup today. So much appreciate your honesty!
Kathy –
I am so glad you stopped by for a visit. I like your idea very much about gifting members of the family gifting an experience — kind of like a family fun day to make memories and have an adventure. You will definitely have to keep me posted on this idea and if you decide to do it as your gifts to each other. Merry Christmas and Blessings of Peace and Joy to you this season.
Your reflections on Mary made me think ‘Tis the season to ponder.
Rachel, Yes, I have also been doing a lot of pondering too- ‘Tis the season, it would indeed seem. thank you for stopping by. Merry Christmas.
Good thoughts Debbie. As I look back on Christmases past I can remember the same feelings. Now that life is less full I have more time to reflect & enjoy but I miss what was!!!
We are funny people. I pray that your Christmas will be filled with the blessing of family & being together.
Much love to you my friend.
Patti
I love Mary’s song in Luke. In answer to your question – I want to embrace the life God sets before me each day – to notice, to respond. I don’t want to miss the ‘good things’ God is doing in my midst. Blessings to you this Christmas! I’m your neighbor at Holley’s.
‘Tis the season to Celebrate the Gift of Jesus! Thanks for pointing us to His truth.
Thank you, especially, for sharing Mary’s song. That’s something I keep meaning to come back to this Christmas season, and then I keep forgetting, so I appreciated that! Thanks for joining us at Grace & Truth! Merry Christmas!
Hi, Debbie! Thank you sharing Mary’s Song of Praise and congratulations on your books! Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday, and hope you will link up again this week 🙂
Thanks as always Kelly for Stopping by and leaving a comment each time I link up – I so appreciate it and also thank you in regards to my books – woo hoo! it feels fantastic. You will see me again after the new year when I am back to blogging 🙂
Debbie — what an excellent post encouraging us to pause long enough to respond to Tis the season….instead of giving in to the pressures of the season, I pause and remind myself of Mary’s song of joy and praise for the birth of the Christ. I am so grateful for my Savior.
Enjoy a blessed Christmas.
See you next year.
Linda – thank you for taking the time to read and comment – sorry I didn’t respond sooner – I took a break from even being on my computer to focus and pause on the season! I am so grateful for my Savior too! You will definitely see me next year – blessings to you and your family as we enter into the New Year!