Thursday, December 2, 2010

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

It is already Dec. 2nd and I, like most of you I imagine, have begun all of our usual Christmas festivities. We spent the week-end getting our decorations up, (I haven't taken pictures yet, but they are coming) my cards are in the mail (early for me but I wanted to get our new address out to many of our friends and family who live out of state) and our calendar is already pretty full with various different gatherings, parties, and events. I LOVE this time of year. And yet of course, unfornately, it comes with its share of stress as well, and for many it is a really hard time of year as they face the holidays with loved ones missing, financial difficulties, or illnesses.

I have always wanted to go through the Christmas season with all of the busy work done BEFORE the month began so that I could just ENJOY the season. I want to be free to really focus on the reason for the season, and fill my days with activities that let me do just that. I had it in my head that my shopping would be done BEFORE Thanksgiving, and by Dec. 1st the decorations would be up, presents wrapped and under the tree, and I would stroll about stress free from activity to activity, and free to volunteer my time and effort where I can to help those soo much less fortunate than myself. But again I find it just isn't happening. We have cut WAY back on our spending and shopping these last couple of years, and yet I have been blessed with such a large family that even buying just 1 small gift for all of my kids and grandkids (which is VERY difficult for me as there is just soo much I want to give them and that quite frankly they need) and our parents (we eliminated ourselves a few years ago) that it amounts to 19 gifts! I don't know if that sounds like a lot to some of you or not, but for me it seems like quite a few. Shopping is VERY difficult with my knees. I am good for maybe 1 hour (and that's a push) and then I can hardly walk (for the rest of the day btw). Soo of course on-line shopping seems the way to go but I have found I really don't like that. It is hard to see what I am looking at, I have found colors and sizes to vary, and sometimes I just want to handle it and browse around. You know what I mean? I have done some on-line shopping and I imagine I will do some more before I am done. But I am NOT getting to the point of this post, haha, imagine that? Last night as I went to bed I found myself (instead of falling asleep) going over all the things I need to do (day by day practically) to get everything done by the time it needs to be done. My circumstances are also complicated by the fact that I have 2 grand daughters, my husband and my sister who all have birthday's in December all of which require more gatherings (juggling schedules is always difficult this month of the year) and gifts. I found myself laying there with a very familiar feeling of stress. I finally got up and grabbed my Bible and went out to the living room to spend a little time reading and in prayer. How glad I am that I did. Everything I read seemed to be pointing me in the same direction...Christmas ISN'T about the presents, the decorations, the baking, or even about the family gatherings (the biggest thing in my book usually) but about the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior. Jesus really is the reason for the season...My focus has got to be on Him. And if that means some things (traditional or not) just don't get done, it's OK. And if some of the presents I give don't have the usual time spent searching for just the "right" thing, that's OK too. But what isn't OK is less time spent with Him.

This morning as I browsed quickly on facebook I came across this video and I just HAD to share it with all of you since it is just what I had been feeling and talking about. The woman has a beautiful voice as well. I LOVE the words of this song. I pray that you all are ENJOYING this time of year and that you are not letting yourselves feel too stressed (like I was) with the busyness of it all. I'd love to hear some of your holiday traditions, and how you find ways to focus on Him as well. I have never been able to get one of these things to post right before, so I am really hoping this works. Take just a minute to listen to the words...I know you will be blessed.

I' ve linked up with Then Sings My Soul Saturday....You can join the other singing posts HERE. You will be soo blessed if you do.




 

13 comments:

  1. So much to consider during the holidays, huh? Well, mine was made a whole lot better with this beautiful song!

    Thank you,
    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
  2. The line to see Jesus... I like that, a lot! Been a rough day today; in times like these, I have a rich perspective about what I want to "see" and "hold".

    He is everything to me.

    peace~elaine

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is great! One of the months I make sure I never miss my devotional time is December. I feel like without God's hand and his Word I would be a lunatic. I call it the 24 day sprint.

    I always want to keep my eyes on his this is a good reminder.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh so there with you on so much of this post. I am still learning how to have Christmas for adult children, who are busy, for the married, who gets stressed out at going to all the in-laws(two sets of in-laws) and our house for this season, for the teen who is hanging between excitement and missing his siblings...and then making it so special for the four year old...sometimes the 22 year gap is overwhelming.
    Focusing on Christ instead makes the the focus right!!!
    That has always been my heart...keep Jesus as our focus...so the Nativity comes out first...not the other things.
    The music played is about his birth and we will have a Jesus birthday cake this year...like I did in the past when the others were small.

    Thanks for sharing...I glean from your wisdom and from your heart!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That song brought tears to my eyes! Something we all need to remember during Advent / the Christmas season. It is not about us and what we want, it is about Him and what He wants.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful song and very encourging post! May we put Him first this season and always. Thanks for a great reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a beautiful song and message! This is the first time I heard this song and artist but she has a lovely voice. Thanks for sharing it Deb!

    I've not set foot in a shopping mall yet. I'm hoping to make some gifts and do some baking and wrap everything up pretty. It will be a different Christmas as we are in a temporary house right now that's owned by a friend. But I'm thankful for what we have and thank God that I love my new job. And guess what? I'm getting more energy and not so exhausted each day I come home. It's not been easy going back to full time work with three year olds when you're almost 58 years old!!!

    Sending you hugs,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am so glad to see how popular this song is.
    Gives much thought for the Christmas season.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is so beautiful. I've never heard it before, but I love the music and the message. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful, beautiful song! Thank you for sharing. I've been so caught up in our own issues this Christmas, this is a good reminder. Can't wait for this evening Debbie, see you at 3:30!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dear Dear Debbie, I am sitting here this Sunday afternoon, with tears streaming down my face, I have not been moved by a song like this in a very long time. We too have scaled down on spending for Christmas and are concentrating more on what we are celebrating.I always am so blessed by what you have to share. I am still believing for God's healing touch on your knees. You are such a blessing.
    Much love to you. and I do love your new header,
    Hugs,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a beautiful message! Blessings to you, sweet Debbie!

    ReplyDelete
  13. hi debbie,

    i came over from janette's, because you
    always leave such endearing comments.

    it seems that if i host thanksgiving, then
    i am just behind the entire Christmas
    season. so, i am sitting here worrying
    that i only have bought two presents and
    don't even have my tree yet.

    luckily my sweet 18 year old is home
    from brazil, and i will just have to beg
    her to help me. :)

    thanks for sharing the precious song.


    merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete

I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!