It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

It’s that time of the year! Everyone seems to get a little more “pep” in their step.. the shopping happens, the decorations go up and the Christmas season is all around.

Although I feel like the stores start us off a bit early- I am so ready to celebrate and get in that Christmas feeling this year! The nostalgia of it all. The traditions. The music. Ah, the joy that seems to just surround “Christmas” right!!?

I was so honored to recently speak at a church ladies Christmas party a few weeks ago. It was such a fun and relaxing event! They had a wonderful hot chocolate bar, card making session and a gift exchange.. everything that screams CHRISTMAS!

(I made those👇🏼!!! Pretty good for someone that’s not super crafty 😂 the instructor was AMAZING.)

Isn’t it funny though, how sometimes we get so wrapped up in Christmas that we forget…. Christmas…. what I mean (and basically what I spoke to those wonderful ladies at the Christmas party about) is- sometimes we get so worried about making sure everything is just right… the house, the decorations, the food, the TRADITIONS… that we truly forget the real joy and meaning behind Christmas.

Does anyone remember the story in the Bible (not the Christmas story- we all know that one!) about Mary and Martha? Not to be confused with Mary Jesus’ mother…. You know, Jesus came to their house (they were sisters) and wanted to hang out with them for a while… this all takes place in Luke. In Luke 10:40 it says “but Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him, (meaning Jesus) and asked “Lord don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!!?”

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Does anyone else ever get distracted by anything… just in life in general??? I mean- my day never go as planned… I’m always distracted with something. Martha sounds to me like a typical 21st century female. She’s got a lot on her mind and a list a mile long. Right? (She’s also sounds a little disgruntled about it…. and I’m going to just throw myself out there on that limb and say I can relate, and most days am, a Martha.)

Let’s see what happens in verse 41… this is when it gets good.

“Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed- or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Stab.in.the.HEART. I mean seriously though. Geesh! Mary is soaking up Jesus- focused on one thing- celebrating HIM! Not letting herself get distracted by “things” that are happening around her. She is filling up her heart with…. nothing more than…. Jesus!!!

What are you going to do this Christmas season? Are you going to be Martha, distracted and worried about gifts, food, traditions, lights (the list goes on) or will you decide to be Mary and soak up Jesus this year- keeping Him the center of your Christmas celebrations- remembering that without His miraculous birth, we wouldn’t have a Christmas to celebrate! You have a choice- Jesus gave us a choice- and whether we think we do or not- we each choose. Be sure to choose wisely!

❤️Courtney