I'm the Mom
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Dec. 10, 2007
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Prepare Him Room
I was thinking about Christmas and all the things I have to do in order to prepare. Technical stuff like finding all the decor, checking the lights (ugh!), putting up the tree, making the cookies, buying the gifts, attending the parties, etc. The list is long....and at times daunting. I can and often do push the important parts of Christmas to a "side table" and let other plans take over... Let me explain.... One tradition our family has enjoyed has been putting up the Nativity scene on the mantle of our fireplace before putting up the tree. In doing this we hope to to begin the season with placing the emphasis on Christ as the proper focal point of the season. We pray, sing some carols and read the Christmas Story. Please, don't picture a "perfect family scene" the children do argue about who "gets" to place the characters in the scene. We sing off tune and shuffle about during prayer, however, when we finish our children (usually) know Who is to have first place in our hearts at Christmas. ..I shared this idea of putting the Nativity up on the mantle first with a friend, and she asked me, "What do you do with all the stuff you have on the mantle now?" I replied, "I pack it away so that nothing hinders the display..." This made think of the mantle of my heart, do I make Him the display, the focal point, of my heart? Do I make Him the focus of my life? Do others recognize that I put Him first? Is there anything that hinders His display in my life? What items should I clear off of the mantle of my heart in order to "Prepare Him Room"? Yes, I need to clear my mantle....of many things like the picture of My Family (possibly being an idol of sorts), or the little china "worry" plate, or the candles that I burn to myself? Or maybe just the dust of inattention to my hearts need to have Christ as my prominent feature? I am sure my hearts mantle could use some clutter control. Yet another question that came to mind was; Who am I making room for? Just a Baby in a manger? No, He is much, much more than that....Here are some verses that describe Christ from Scripture:
Colossians 1,...
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And he is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
I need to prayerfully clear off my heart's mantle so I can prepare Room for this awesome Savior so He can become the focal point of my life..... As the Carol lyrically puts it "Let Earth Receive Her King, Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room...."
Silly Story:
My youngest ,who is now 6, came and gave me a hug and some really sweet kisses, as he ran back to rejoin his game he turned to me and asked, "Mom when I kissed you did you see all pink hearts coming out?" "Yes, I most certainly did!"
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• Dec. 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Thanks you so much for stopping by my blog and for your prayers. I really appreciate them.
We are in the wait and see stage. Lord willing, everything will be fine.
Thanks again.
Blessings,
Amanda