December is here along with all of the busyness of the season that this month brings. This month will fly by quickly and before you know it, it’s the start of a new year. How do we slow down and truly focus on the real reason we have Christmas?
Last week I received my third invitation to a Christmas party from a friend (3 of the 4 weekends in December!). To have the energy to go to these parties (and bring a dish), get my Christmas shopping done, plan and attend family gatherings, and let’s not forget the rest of the everyday household things that have to be done – usually on the weekends, is unfathomable. For years I stressed over these types of things and I would come near to collapse by the end. No anymore. After going through a major life change and recently losing my dad, I now make choices to only do things that enrich my life and bring me closer to love and family. These types of major life events will certainly have you reconsider how you spend your time. Don’t wait for a major life change-do it now.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
So, how do we slow down and focus? Pray for peace and discernment in your life and in your choices. Rethink all of those events and find the ones that would truly mean the most to your heart. Don’t feel the pressure to attend them all in the short season. You can always plan something another month for the purpose of visiting. When you have a peace about that, you can truly slow down and enjoy this season and its true purpose. When you plan your friend or family gatherings, plan to make that celebration focus on why we gather at this time. After all, Jesus IS the reason for this season and how we can spend eternity in His loving arms.
Marcia K. Gibney
Director of Recreation Ministry
Christ United Methodist Church