I’m sure many of you are aware by now that Christmas is just around the corner. If you haven’t been hearing the countdowns since July, maybe you at least glanced at the calendar this morning like I did and said “Holy Cow!”–realizing it’s nearly here. What is it about this time of year that makes us all a little nutty? We shop more than usual, we spend more than usual, and we socialize more than usual. It’s like we feel like we need to pack a years worth of everything into one month. Long ago I was a waitress and we had a term for when we got overwhelmed with too many tables to serve at once–it’s called being “in the weeds”.
That’s how I’ve been feeling for the past couple of weeks with all of the planning, parties, shopping, baking, cooking, running around trying to create awesome moments for me and my family. I am in the weeds big time. Instead of creating wonderful memories I’m like a train chugging up a steep hill–barely moving forward, but straining with all my might. Meanwhile I’m frantically making lists– so afraid I’ll forget something or someone and barking at anyone who interrupts my train of thought. It’s caused me to break down and cry more than a couple of times.
I love Max Luccado and I subscribe to his daily devotionals. Last week he wrote one that really got to me: https://maxlucado.com/listen/busy-see-him/
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Too Busy to See Him
One’s imagination is kindled thinking about the conversation of the innkeeper and his family. Did anyone mention the arrival of the young couple the night before? Did anyone ask about the pregnancy of the girl on the donkey? The innkeeper and his family were so busy. The day was upon them. The day’s bread had to be made. The morning’s chores had to be done. There was too much to do to imagine that the impossible had occurred. God had entered the world as a baby.
Meanwhile the city hummed. Merchants were unaware that God had visited their planet. The innkeeper would never believe that he’d just sent God out into the cold. Those who missed His Majesty’s arrival—missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no, they missed it because they simply weren’t looking. Not much has changed in the last two thousand years, has it?
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Too busy to see him. Wow. God comes to earth wearing a tiny baby human suit and the people there to witness this miracle of all miracles were too busy to even know that it had happened. What am I too busy doing that I’m missing on the miracles God is doing in my life every day and especially during this time of year? As I thought about it–I realized I’m missing out on everything. I’m missing out on sharing in the excitement my two boys have right now. My youngest expresses joy like know one I know. He lives out loud–big throaty giggles, shrieks of delight, and he constantly has a look of hopeful anticipation on his face that I so wish I could capture. He has such an incredible ability to enjoy just about anything (except baths).
As I’ve been out and about getting my shopping done I’ve noticed that so many mirror on the outside what I feel on the inside– their heads down, plowing through the crowds, giving dirty looks to those that don’t get out of their way and look just miserable.
That’s not what this season is all about. If that’s how I’m behaving–I am missing it. I’m missing the miracle of Christmas. This time of year is not just about spoiling our kids rotten and making everyone else happy–it’s about remembering the reason we celebrate this time of year to begin with.
Yes, that Inn Keeper (and so many others) missed THE biggest event in history as God in human flesh squalled his first baby cries. I don’t want to be like him. I want to be like my boys and be unable to sleep because of how excited I am and to have so much joy in my heart my face hurts from smiling. I don’t want to miss the moments that make it all so precious–all I have to do is slow down, look around and let go–only then will I hopefully be able join in all of the childlike wonder that makes this season so special.