Earlier this week my mother in law and I were discussing our Bah-Humbug attitudes toward Christmas this year. Christmas is one of my FAVORITE times of the year and this year I'm just feeling a little "Blah" about it. Two weeks ago I was SUPER ready to pull out my decorations and get my house all warm and friendly and inviting and now? I just want to put it all back in the attic.
I read this on another blog this week (Lots of Scotts) and I will continue to remind myself of it until my Bah-Humbug attitude is gone:
Not Celebrate? Your burden is too great to bear?
Your loneliness is intensified during this Christmas season?
Your tears seem to have no end?
Not Celebrate? You should lead the celebration.
You should run through the streets to ring the bell and sing the loudest!
You should fling the tinsel on the tree,
And open your house to your neighbors and call them to dance!
For it is you above all others who know the joy of Advent.
It is unto you that a Savior is born this day.
One Who comes to lift your burden from your shoulders,
One Who comes to wipe the tears from your eyes.
You are not alone, for He is born this day to you.
-Ann Weems, Kneeling in Bethlehem
More important than decorating our homes, we must decorate ourselves. Do we get up each day and put on the Spirit of Christmas? As Christians, we are called to share the Good News and Christmas is certainly the perfect time to do so. I'm challenging myself this month to decorate my heart instead of worrying about my home. Am I showing the Spirit or have I turned off the sounds and lights?
I am certainly not trying to take away from the beautiful decorations that we all put lots of time and effort into getting just right. In fact, I have another post already written about my own home and what we've put out this year. However, the true meaning of Christmas has gotten covered up by all of the wreaths, lights, and pine needles! Let's remember to pull it out this year!
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven - praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
- Luke 2:8-14 (NLT)
More important than decorating our homes, we must decorate ourselves. Do we get up each day and put on the Spirit of Christmas? As Christians, we are called to share the Good News and Christmas is certainly the perfect time to do so. I'm challenging myself this month to decorate my heart instead of worrying about my home. Am I showing the Spirit or have I turned off the sounds and lights?
I am certainly not trying to take away from the beautiful decorations that we all put lots of time and effort into getting just right. In fact, I have another post already written about my own home and what we've put out this year. However, the true meaning of Christmas has gotten covered up by all of the wreaths, lights, and pine needles! Let's remember to pull it out this year!
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven - praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
- Luke 2:8-14 (NLT)
Posts
Made with graphic elements by
No comments:
Post a Comment