Soon the roasted turkey will be packed away for future meals. The pie dishes will be rinsed clean. It often seems that all those thanks are then simply swept away as we hurry to get ready for Jesus coming.
We are a people of “next things.” In our present time, the end of Thanksgiving seems to mark the beginning of list-making and aggressive shopping. Christmas is currently a pack-it-all-in sort of holiday, making us busy and a bit crazy.
We stress as if that’s part of tradition. Share on XIt’s a little backward that we rush and stress so much to celebrate the arrival of the prince of peace.
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” –Matthew 1:23
Amidst the glitter and glamour of the holiday season, I can think of no time of year when people seem so universally discontent- so unaware that we have much to rejoice over. There’s so much “more, more” begging us to fit all the celebration in that I don’t think most of really remember what we’re celebrating.
Instead of glorying in the reality that God is with us, our hurried lives seem to sing:
We tend to spend a month each year carefully planning and packing and wrapping up satisfaction for one another….all to culminate in a brief moment of opening and admiring the Only Gift that satisfies. The point. The purpose. Immanuel.
Though we’re celebrating God with us, we act as if He isn’t here yet- and that means it’s all on us to make this holiday a good one!
Isn’t it ironic?
What if this Christmas season we celebrated God with us before we put his figurine in the nativity on Christmas morning?
What if the 'thanks' for His 'giving' wasn’t tossed out with the cranberry sauce? Share on XEvery stick of butter unwrapped for treat-baking, every mailed package ripped open, every decoration box unpacked, every melody reserved for unfolding at just this time of year, every pair of arms stretched in greeting…
We could savor receiving the wonderful news again and again instead of stressing until the proclamation is made on Christmas day. God is with us! Thank you Jesus!
This celebration season, I’m seeking contentment in Christ. Will you join me here next week for the rest of this 5 part series?
This post may also be shared on: #MomentsofHope, #DreamTogetherLinkup, #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory, #RechargeWednesday, #Thought-Provoking Thursday, #Heart Encouragement, #LiveFreeThursday, #DanceWithJesus, #LLMLinkup, Faith-Filled Friday, Sitting Among Friends, Fresh Market Friday, and #SoulSurvivalLinkup.
Love your series idea, Bethany! Sharing this post on FB and Twitter.
Thank you, Sarah!!
We had one of our family Thanksgivings yesterday, and already I’m wondering if I should pull out the Christmas decorations. But no, Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet! ha. Your message here is very needed, Bethany. “It’s a little backward that we rush and stress so much to celebrate the arrival of the prince of peace.”
I’m holding on to that point, too, Lisa! My temptation to rush into celebrating is part stress, but also part excitement for the celebrating. Maybe it’s just me- but I’m finding that delaying that gratification is actually BUILDING my anticipation and joy in the Lord for this time! Hope the same is true with you : )
I love your alternative version of the song, and I have the tune well and truly stuck in my head now! So true though- it can all become so frantic we can forget the point of the celebrations. It’s important to slow down and focus on what it’s really about. Sounds like your series will be helpful for that. Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!
Haha, thanks Lesley! It’s a good tune : ) I pray the series is helpful for remembering what’s important and living contented in Him! Hope you’re having a wonderful start to the Christmas season!
Amen! I love your rendition of the song. I’m going for the stress-free version of Christmas. My gift is spending time with family and experiencing beauty together.
Thanks, Anita! I’m with you on the stress-free version! What a wonderful gift : )
Happy Thanksgiving to you!!
Blessings~
Very thought-provoking, Bethany! Why we stress when Jesus is the Prince of Peace has me thinking! 🙂
Thanks, Julie! That line is a corrective one, for me!
Amen! Couldn’t have said it better. (Hugs) + blessings to you my friend.
Back at you!