Mark 1:14-15
Are you feeling the pressure yet? The pressure to do all the things perfectly this holiday season? Such as:
- Deck the halls with HGTV worthy décor
- Bake cookies with the kids - bonus points if they look halfway edible
- Watch a Hallmark movie… maybe the one where big city girl is engaged to the wrong guy, but finds her way to a small town and true love triumphs… make sure fireplace is on and cocoa is in your lap
- Send uplifting Christmas cards with expertly coordinated outfits and smiles
- Secure presents that’ll be played with for a whopping 5 minutes, even after hours of research and reviews that say “my kid LOVES this and was entertained all day!”
- Wrap presents on the floor until your back or knees give out, edges should be crisp and tight!
- Put Elf on the Shelf in a clever place every.single.day.
- Find THE ugly sweater (must be a great ice breaker at parties) while also shopping for classy Christmas Eve attire and matching PJs for the whole family
- Plan the most efficient light viewing route, one that captures attention spans and has perfectly timed potty breaks
- Go to the grocery store 1,816 times
- Shove all practical items into overflowing closets when guests visit so no one can tell you actually live there (this will ensure focus is on that HGTV worthy décor)
Phew! Feeling worn out yet? I am completely guilty of wanting to make every December perfect for my kids and guests. I tend to lose sight of the true reason for celebrating. Perhaps our checklists should look more like:
- Attend church - bonus points if we can regurgitate the sermon after!
- Bring kids and grandkids to Southwood’s Advent Festival on December 8th
- Read a portion of the Nativity story each night as a family
- Select tags from a giving tree and donate items
- Volunteer to serve others
- Slow down and don’t overschedule
- Make a list of those struggling this holiday season and reach out
- Revel in daily devotions and prayer
- Thank God for the most precious gift of His son
This second list just feels better, right? The first one imposes a sense of urgency and anxiety. But sometimes urgency is good like in Mark 1:15 where Jesus declares that the kingdom of God is near and it’s time to repent. Let’s be moved by that kind of urgency rather than trivial pursuits like those listed at the top of this devotion.
Questions for Reflection:
- What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?
- What are you dreading?
- How might you better manage your time and priorities these next three weeks?
Prayer:
Dear God, help us prioritize the things that matter and only be moved by urgency when it truly matters. May we live every day to its fullest knowing that the kingdom of God is near. Amen.
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