Psalm 63:5, “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods.”
I am easily distracted by shiny objects.
My phone is a perfect example. I grab it to check something, see a shiny object such as a text, and forget why I grabbed my phone in the first place.
The Christmas season is full of shiny objects. Between the pretty decorations in the stores and at home, to decorating, planning, cooking, entertaining or going to the party, it’s easy for me to be absorbed in the shiny that I love!
However, for the first time ever, I was grumpy as I put up my Christmas tree last week. A task I normally enjoy, brought complete irritation. I had no idea why I was so frustrated.
So half-way through the decorating process, I quit. I could have cared less that my tree was half-decorated.
The next morning, the reason for my Grinch-like attitude occurred to me: The exhaustion of a move, spilling into Thanksgiving… Add a touch of normal everyday life (with two teenagers), plus decorating for Christmas and minimal, distracted time with Jesus – no wonder I had a Grinch-like attitude.
I had been spending far more time distracted by the shiny objects of everyday life and Christmas than the meaning of the Christmas itself.
Apart from spending time with Jesus in His Word, shiny objects have no value; no joy and no relevance.
As busy as the season is, we can’t allow shiny objects to distract us from time spent reading and studying God’s Word. He’s the only One who can fill our empty cup. He’s the only One who can make us feel whole and complete. He’s the only One who brings satisfaction to our parched, hungry soul.
My tree is still only half-decorated. (It will stay this way.) Because it’s a tangible reminder that the shiny objects of decorating, partying, cooking and planning, as fun as they are, are empty apart from quality time spent with the Source of Christmas each day.
Christmas Readings
My Grinch-like attitude is going away. I pulled out my Christmas Journal and turned to the Christmas Readings page. (See examples below).
Read a passage or two each day. Write down what the passage says. Is there a lesson? How does the passage apply to you today?
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6-7
Luke 1:5-25
Luke 1:26-38
Luke 1:39-56
Matthew 1:18-25
Luke 1:57-80 and many more!
Luncheon, Friday December 15th:
One of the most Fun Luncheons of the Year! Don’t miss it!
Christmas Survival for the Overwhelmed
A Heart like Mary’s
and the Hospitality of Martha
Speakers: Lisa T. Grimes and Debbie Wilson