Let’s just take a deep breath for a moment here.
It’s been a crazy few weeks, but it’s time to turn our attention to Christmas. We’ve only got five weeks to pull our home together, give or take a few days. Does that make you panic a little in your head? As I went to double check the remaining number of weeks on the calendar I noticed that (surprise?) next week is Thanksgiving here in the U.S. (how in the actual world does that keep slipping my mind?). So, basically we’ve got a few days and then pretty much, it’s going to suddenly be Christmas.
It’s fine.
I feel like I have really good excuses for living in a frazzled home. Not that I don’t feel frazzled for other reasons, too, but we don’t even have a kitchen in our house right now. We have multiple layers of remodeling dust on our dining room table and chaos everywhere. There are contractors in my house every morning ready to greet me as I emerge from the bathroom with a towel on my head.
It’s been pretty unsettled around here and will probably be that way right on through the holidays. My house doesn’t even feel like my own home right now, so part of me feels like just letting it all go and hiding in my bedroom until the contractors finish their work in January.
But I was reminding myself again this morning that no one else but me is going to get this house together in time for Christmas (er, Thanksgiving?). So, the time is nigh for me to pull myself and the house together and do this.
Your home (like mine) might be in its own state of chaos for whatever reason. I get it. Don’t worry, it’s all grace here.
But how do we get our home from chaos to Christmas with so little time left?
Because I’ve been a home decor blogger for nearly ten years now, you might be anticipating that I will tell you how to get your tree decorated and your house spic and span in the nick of time. While I love to help women with simple ways to do that fun stuff, too, I’m actually here to remind us of what matters more. If we start our plans by re-ordering our priorities we will have all the inspiration and energy we need to pull our house together.
- Creating a peaceful home for Christmas starts in our hearts.
- A warm and festive house has less to do with the holiday decorations we put out and more to do with the love we pour out.
- Pulling together a fabulous party shouldn’t steal our joy or prevent us from gathering our people together.
- The gift of simply being present is more important than the presents.
Amen? Our own expectations might be too high and the days left on the calendar probably feel far too few, but we’ve got this. If we take our long to-do list and simply write Jesus there in the number one slot every day, we’ll have all we need to pull our home and heart together in every way that counts.
I’m excited for Christmas, are you?
Let’s do this.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 NIV
Melissa,
Is it pathetic to say that I’m somewhat jealous of you? If my home was “under construction”, I would have a ready made excuse for why my house is not completely made up for Christmas lol. You are so right that Advent is more of an attitude that pervades in my home as we lead up to Christmas. If I take the time to still my heart before God and take in what His coming is all about, then THAT is what will be poured out in my home. Yes, love poured out as a gift is more what it’s all about than how fabulous my mantle or tree looks. Thanks for a needed reminder!
Blessings,
Bev
So very blessed!As you helped with chaos in ones home and mind….Merry Christmas!
Ha! It does come in handy sometimes (as in I have no oven to cook Thanksgiving this year so I guess someone else will have to invite me over, ha!). Hang in there. I hope you have a very blessed season, Bev!
Yes, I am excited for Christmas. I am always excited each year knowing that Christmas is coming. I love decorations and sharing God’s Word with family and friends and strangers. Church services, Nativity scenes, special meals, sharing God’s love…..and especially remembering the birth of Jesus. Special times and special memories. 🙂
I love the idea of putting Jesus first on my To-Do list. I will literally do that to keep everything else in perspective. Thank you, Melissa!
This is glorious advice!
A few years ago, we developed the mantra for Christmas that we would “do less and enjoy it more.”
I’m stickin’ with that!
That’s a goodie! I’m sticking with that, too.
Thank you Melissa for this is a great reminder that Christmas is about our hearts not our things! I will still pray your home construction will be smooth and I am sure it will be beautiful to usher the New Year. Blessings to you and your family ..
Thank you, Sandy! I appreciate that. I am looking forward to being past this phase but excited to know we will start the new year with a kitchen! Blessings to you, too.
I’m in Canada, so I already have Thanksgiving under my belt 😉 but one glance at the calendar and my heart definitely beats to a very rapid Jingle Bells tune! Thanks for sharing this… Jesus first, every day, exhale. We CAN do this!
😀 Yes we CAN!
Melisa, I love that you’re focusin on our hearts! I’m heading into a season of chaos, and I’m going to need to remember where to keep my focus. On Jesus, not on a perfect house, or getting every last thing on my Christmas to-do list completed before such-and-such a date.
I believe the best gift I can give to myself will be those quiet moments with Jesus each morning. Thank you for these reminders!!
And, I hope your remodel goes well!
Thanks Jeanne! Those quiet moments are the best gift.
Jeanne, I can relate to what you are saying about remembering to keep my focus on Jesus, not on my ridiculously large Christmas to do list. I want to remember to gift myself with quiet moments with Jesus each morning. So well said, thank you for this gift.
Wonderful advice from someone who obviously has been there, done that. Thank you, Melissa. One thing I missed with this one, that rarely happens on (in)courage is there were no “referenced” Scriptures. There was a tangible by writing to be still (and know that I am God), but I just would caution not to leave out real Scripture reference,as I for one, need them to make the message Whole. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you (putting Jesus first, as you wrote), you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 NIV. Such a valuable lesson as you were led to teach us deserved His Words to back you up. Love you, Melissa, and the great wisdom from God that you share.
Thank you Dorothea, you are so right. I even had that in mind as I wrote and yet failed to include it. I love the verse you shared. Scripture in context is the truth we need to be focused on as we share and encourage one another. It is so easy to run away with our own words and thoughts! Thank you for the reminder to encourage each other to put first things first and always include His Words to point us back to His Heart. Blessings to you!
Love this! Thank you, Melissa!
My Christmases have went well for the most part. I put a lot of effort into it though, not just for others but for me because I enjoyed it. But I like the peaceful part, it’s not about presents but presence. This year, as the past two or three. It will be simpler, I can’t do it all. Yes, it’s grace and peace. I’m still reeling at the thought of someone seeing me in a towel on my head, very few people have seen me without make up, see what pressures we put on ourselves?
Melissa,
Thank-you… I love how you captured what the true beauty, and magic of Christmas is about. Yes, I’m excited to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and thankful you, and the other’s help me stay focused on the miracle of it all.
Prayers that your home will be complete in the not too far off distance,
Penny
Love and appreciate the quote about peaceful home starting in our hearts. True, true, true. All year around. 🙂
I love what you said that “the gift of being present is more important than the presents”. When our focus is on The Gift, Jesus, it brings us to what is important in the moment-the gift of being present.
Melissa
I don’t understand why some people put so much pressure on themselves to have the “perfect” Christmas. All that is truly needed is presence of each other. Being there in the moment and loving each other. Telling the children the true story behind Christmas. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy seeing the lights, and having a few decorations up. I’m more concerned about the heart issues and enjoying time with family.
Blessings 🙂