Christmas time is upon us. Seriously...it's creeping up very quickly. Today is Decmeber 4th. That means Santa is visiting in just 21 days. That means three weeks. I can hardly believe how fast time goes. The older I get, the faster it seems to race by.
Last week I was really upset about the upcoming festivities that surround Christmas. My Birthday is the week before and between Birthday celebrations, Christmas parties, family gatherings, spending Christmas and New Years in Pennsylvania, and trying my best to enjoy the holiday cheer, I was frustrated. Actually, I was more than frustrated. I found myself on the couch in the prayer room at work crying in anticipation of the upcoming weeks. Overwhelmed. Tired. Drained. I have expectations for this Christmas season. I have things that I want to happen, magic I want to see, prayers that I want God to answer. Over the weekend, He took those expectations from me. I don't think those prayers are going to be answered this holiday season and despite that revelation I have an overwhelming peace. God allowed me to realize that this time of year isn't about me and my expectations. It isn't about me and the things I want. It's about Him. It's about this gift God sent from heaven to save me from this world and from my awful sins. EVERYTHING I do this holiday season should be in His name: the gifts I receive, the events I enjoy, the decorations, the music, all of it! In living like that I want to exude His light by loving everyone around me. No Grinch status. Strangers on the street, my co-workers, my friends, my boyfriend, my family, the people I see at church, anyone I encounter throughout my day. I want to exude God's love, His grace, the knowledge of His gift of salvation and an eternity with Him.
I want to prepare my heart for the coming of the King. I want to remember and learn more about who He is, what He did, how He loved. To help, I'm diving into the bible. I'm doing three holiday devotionals leading up to December 25th. Ambitious I know. But it forces me to think about more than just the presents and the tinsel. One of the devotions is based on Christmas Carols and today's really inspired me. It talked about having awe inspiring moments and how technology and the fast paced world we live in, we don't often have "awe" moments. It challenged me to think of the last time I was truly in awe. I wish I could travel back in time, knowing what I know, and watch Jesus be born. I am pretty sure that would be the most magnificent event I or anyone else could experience. Yes, I know it wasn't a glamorous scene. It was a gross and nasty stable with gross and nasty smells and sounds and blah blah blah. But our Savior! Entering this world! Coming to save me! I'm challenging myself after reading this to find "awe" moments, especially this Christmas season. I want to allow God to sensitize my heart to these type of moments, and I want to give Him praise and glory for all He's done by entering this world.
