Merry Christmas???

The Holidays are upon us and we are surprised at all the things we want to do, don’t have time to do and can’t wait to do. Our list gets longer every year; have you found this to be true? Not the Gift list, but the trying to fit everything in list, is longer. Did we see all the people we need to see? Did we watch all the Holiday shows we love to watch and the baking? Will we get to the baking? Not because it must be done, but because I love the doing of it, especially if there are small hands in the kitchen to help, and Mike loves the eating of it. I have a lot of help!

We have managed to get through the birthdays, and Chanukah. Thanksgiving was a special treat because we had so much family to share it with us. Yet here it is, almost Christmas and there is no Christmas letter and the cards have not been mailed. They have been bought and I can see them from the keyboard as I type this. Mike has mentioned them a few times, but I am distracted by so many things. I feel much like Martha in the Bible. (Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!")This would be why I am up after midnight typing away wondering why my mind is working over time. I could have stayed in bed and thought this through, but instead I am here thinking of you while Mike is sleeping.

Is it help I need like Martha? Is it because I am wondering if I am making the memories I want those I love to hold dear? Perhaps that was Martha’s struggle too. Will Jesus, like the food? Will it be served hot? Are the decorations just right? Does He know how much love I am putting into this? I do want to feed the hearts of those I love.

In my heart I hear the words “Commit your plans to the Lord and they will succeed.” My plans? Maybe I need to consider Jesus’ plans instead? What does a merry Christmas look like to Him?

We saw a glimpse of it tonight as we drove through the Live Nativity with our youngest Granddaughter and her Great-grandfather. That is a memory! Her squeals could be heard by her mama in the car behind us. “The Bad king wants to count the people and take their money.” “OHHH! The Angels came and told the Shepherds Jesus is born.” “AHHH! Look at the sheep and the goats (that is a deeper Bible lesson for another time), can you see the Star?” “Oh look they will not let Mary sleep in the Inn and she is going to have a baby!” “She is with the animals in the hay holding Jesus!” Hooray! Hi! Hi Baby Jesus!

Oh how that transported me to another time and another memory when shouts of Happy Birthday Baby Jesus could be heard throughout the Italian Cathedral from two other small excited babies.

Maybe it isn’t in the planning, but in the moment we are to find Christmas. For we are certain tonight was part of what Christmas looks like to Jesus. This is only the beginning! There will be songs to sing. There will be plays to see and soup and fresh bread to eat after Christmas Eve services. It holds the past traditions and the new memories together. There will be empty seats but not empty hearts in our home as distance keep us apart but love is not constrained to time and space. As the Grinch discovered, you can’t keep Christmas from coming.

But we sure can clutter it up! SO tonight as my prayers fill this letter and our hearts longs to see you again, We ask that the clutter be removed and in the moment between tinsel and boxes, you see Jesus and celebrate His birthday with Him. May you exclaim with glee as you realize It is Christ-mas and the Angels are Shouting to you “Glory to God in the Highest! Unto you has been Born a Savior, LOOK there is Jesus! He has come to fill your heart today and always.”

After all it is…..

Because of Jesus, Mike and Bobbie

Merry Christmas to all, and now to all, Good Night!