Focus on that

I love the Christmas season.  I always have, and always will.  It's strange how traditions change and the things we look forward to change over the years.  But things that never change are the feelings that Christmas brings inside of myself.  The TRUTH that Christmas commemorates is  vital as to why we celebrate in the first place.  

As a Christian, if I keep forgetting that we celebrate Christ's coming to earth as a baby to one day die for our sins, than the meaning of Christmas is lost.  If my primary (or only) focus is wrapped up in present-wrapping, buying, getting, the fun traditions and decor, than my focus is skewed and sadly, the end of Christmas will be a letdown.  

There have been years in my life when as soon as the big days were done (the day we had a Christmas party, the day we went to Grandma's, the day we had our Christmas and exchanged presents, the day our church had a big program, the candlelight service Christmas Eve etc.), I'd feel majorly depressed and like all the fun had ended.  

If we're honest, that tendency to get so wrapped up is there.  

I've been thinking about this and working on it since that first year I experienced it.  Even at the old age of 29, I still can get caught up buying presents I think people will love, wrapping them, being so frantic about making the batches of Christmas cookies that I don't want to let the toddlers help- because let's be honest...sometimes their help is more work for us in the long run.  

I have to work hard at not being such a Martha (illustration from the bible story in Luke 10), especially at Christmas time.  Sitting at the feet of Jesus, or in our case, focusing on the real wonder of the season (Jesus being born to one day die) is SO much more satisfying.  It isn't exhausting.  After the trees have been put away, cookies have been eaten and presents have been unwrapped, that truth will still be there.  

We have much to be thankful for and God is worthy of our every praise.  Focus on that.