I know I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but I seriously appreciate Flylady’s Holiday Control Journal. In fact, I’m tempted to print out a couple of copies to carry around with me to distribute to people who say to me, “I’m SO busy! I’m SO stressed out! I can’t WAIT for Christmas to be over!” I could just hand them the solution to their busy-ness and stress.
I really do think that we all need to keep reinforcing with each other that it is not “cool” or “admirable” to be too busy and stressed out this time of year (or any time of year, for that matter). If we can counteract someone’s expressions of exasperation with hope that it doesn’t have to be that way, maybe it will make them stop for a split second to examine what is going on in their lives: what perfectionism is holding them captive, what associated procrastination is dragging them into panic mode. Then, maybe, they will want to start to work to change things.
Why is this on my mind so much? Well, I think that accepting the general idea that busy-ness and stress is just part of this holiday season detracts from what should be our focus at Christmas. Busy-ness and stress should NOT be the focus.
I really liked what Gary Chapman wrote in his “Love Language Minute” yesterday:
For many, December 24th is a day dedicated to ‘last minute shopping’. I’m often wondered what God was doing the day before Christ was born? Probably guiding each step as Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem. The most profound event of human history was about to happen. The theologians call it the ‘incarnation’: God becoming human in the form of a baby.
God had communicated for hundreds of years through the prophets. But now He sends His own Son. To use the words of John, “The Word became flesh and we observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In the midst of today’s busyness, let’s make time to reflect upon God’s greatest gift.
Merry Christmas! Webster says that ‘merry’ implies uninhibited enjoyment of frolic, festivity, or fun. In addition freshness and buoyancy as manifest in singing, leaping, and dancing. That’s what I wish for you on this Christmas day. That’s what the shepherds did. Luke says, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.”
I hope that in the busyness of this day, you will find a place where you can let your spirit rise in praise to God for what He did on that first Christmas. The babe of Bethlehem was born to die so that we might have eternal life. Yes, the hinge of history is attached to the door of a Bethlehem stable. So, let us sing, leap, and dance for joy in celebration.
If Flylady’s Holiday Control Journal helps me ditch the busy-ness and stress of preparing for celebrating Christmas so I can focus on rejoicing, then, praise the Lord!
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