The end of the Christmas season is always bittersweet for me. I confess, I'm not one to rush to put away the decorations and take down the tree, not that it's wrong to be a take-it-down-the-next-day kind of girl, I just like to savor the season a little longer. I'm not talking about savoring the Santa part, but savoring the Savior part and stilling my heart to drink Him in. This year, with a full time C.R.A.Z.Y. job, two busy teenage daughters, and many other things, the season rushed upon me more quickly than normal it seemed. It was almost as if there wasn't a chance to savor the season and its meaning until it was the day after. I'll even admit to you that I listened to a Christmas worship CD for 2 or 3 days after Christmas because I could just listen, not plan, not run through a list in my mind to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. I could sit in the dark of our living room enjoying the glow of the tree lights in the room.
Just savoring Him.
And what He did for me.
Besides the obvious gift of the Newborn King, I wondered as I savored, "Why do I love this time of year so much? Why do I hate to see it end?"
And He whispered, "Because you get a glimpse of the way things are supposed to be."
I love that we are celebrating Him by doing things for others. I love that we have an excuse to be nice to strangers without it raising a question of our motives. I love that its ok to just be nice and smile and say Merry Christmas and mean it. I love that it's ok just to give something away.
He whispered again, "You love that people are celebrating My presence"
And my heart agreed, "Yes, that's it."
The season brings our attention to His presence in the world and we grasp it, if only for a few days or hours.
He gently reminds me, His presence can be celebrated everyday. His presence doesn't go away when the tree is packed away, or when Christmas music is out of season.
I must simply be aware of it.
Just savoring Him.
And what He did for me.
Besides the obvious gift of the Newborn King, I wondered as I savored, "Why do I love this time of year so much? Why do I hate to see it end?"
And He whispered, "Because you get a glimpse of the way things are supposed to be."
I love that we are celebrating Him by doing things for others. I love that we have an excuse to be nice to strangers without it raising a question of our motives. I love that its ok to just be nice and smile and say Merry Christmas and mean it. I love that it's ok just to give something away.
He whispered again, "You love that people are celebrating My presence"
And my heart agreed, "Yes, that's it."
The season brings our attention to His presence in the world and we grasp it, if only for a few days or hours.
He gently reminds me, His presence can be celebrated everyday. His presence doesn't go away when the tree is packed away, or when Christmas music is out of season.
I must simply be aware of it.
..and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20
Aware of His presence. Everyday. In every choice, every circumstance, every moment.
Awareness of His presence will affect my choices.
My word for 2016?
Awareness of His presence will affect my choices.
My word for 2016?
His Presence is what I will be turning my heart to this year.
Allowing His Presence to affect my present moment.
What about you? Do you have a word or subject you are focusing on for 2016? I'd love to hear what you have to say!
XOXO
Allowing His Presence to affect my present moment.
What about you? Do you have a word or subject you are focusing on for 2016? I'd love to hear what you have to say!
XOXO
