Curled up in my favorite comfortable armchair and carefully sipping a cup of hot spiced tea, listening to carols on my favorite Christmas CD in the glow of the Christmas tree lights, is the way I most enjoy the season of Jesus Christ’s birth.
In the glow of those sparkling tree lights is the Nativity that sits on our hearth, that small and cherished visual of the Christmas story which has graced our home for over twenty five years. Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus are surrounded by animals, shepherds, wise men, and angels.
Above the hearth hang the stockings for our family. All our names are monogrammed in a stylish script on these beautiful stockings that invite us to fill them with goodies by Christmas morning.
Traditions are a treasured part of our Christmas celebrations each year. The cookies we bake, the candy we make, the cards we send, the gifts we buy, the Christmas Eve service we attend, and the family gatherings and parties we go to are the activities we participate in to enjoy and observe this special time of year. Much time is spent furiously rushing from one Christmas activity to another – between school, work, church, and home.
Somewhere in the mix of all these obligations and activities, we find our schedules growing fuller and our days busier and busier. Next thing we know, each Christmas season becomes a time of stress and overwhelming busyness and we can feel like we are on a fast, spinning merry-go-round that won’t slow down.
If we are going to savor and reflect on the meaning of Christmas as we should, we must slow down. We will enjoy our celebration of Christmas more when we find a balance between activity and Nativity. I have learned that I cannot be involved in every program, activity, and every party, and must make choices to limit the busyness by only selecting certain ones.
The Christmas season becomes the most difficult time to be still. In my own experience, if I don’t intentionally make myself take the time to slow down and be still, Christmas will pass by in a flurry of activity, and not enough Nativity.
Will I take the time to pause and with awe remember this miracle of Christ’s birth? Will I make the time to rejoice in knowing God’s plan to come to earth in the person of His only Beloved Son Jesus, was for me…and for you? Will I think about that Holy night in Bethlehem while I sit in my comfortable chair sipping tea and listening to carols in the glow of the Christmas tree lights? Will I open my Bible again to Luke 2 and read how a Savior was born?
If I want there to be more Nativity than activity, I will pause…
How do you pause and intentionally savor this joyous season of our Savior’s birth?
Luke 2:11-12
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
By Kathy Cheek @ In Quiet Places
Photo by Dawn Camp
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You are right on with your post, Kathy. It is a choice to notice the Nativity–activity must be intentionally slowed down. Like you, I use Christmas music and candles to focus my attention on the Child of Hope and Love as well as reading and reflecting on the Nativity events as laid out in Scripture.
Have a blessed Christmas Day!
What a great reminder to slow down this time of year. So hard to do in reality but SO needed and worth it.
I love your nativity lights. They are beautiful. Beautiful and thoughtful post
And this shall be a sign unto YOU, unto ME, unto ALL.
Love that scripture. Have a blessed day.
Thank you so much for this beautiful message–I love the distinction between the need for Nativity versus the constant busyness of activity! This Christmas I’m trying to make more Nativity time–more time to try to meditate on Jesus’ Incarnation and its meaning for me, so I tremendously appreciate this message! Merry Christmas and blessings to all!
Traditions are soo important in each family. My hubby and I watch Charlie Brown Christmas every year. I can relate to Charlie Brown–why all the fuss about what you want, parties, etc. while forgetting the true meaning of Christmas!
My husband and I slow down by saying no to a lot of activities. Our lives are busy enough with our daily work activities. We don’t truly enjoy the whole holiday season, especially as we age. There is too much hoopl and blah blah about buy, buy, buy gifts for everyone. No one seems to stop & remember the true essence of Christmas.
our pastor played a video by Faith Hill called “What a difference a Child makes”. It centers on Mary talking with angel and you see her and Joseph. Images that are presented include 3 crosses. That really hit home!