Mercy

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A "Christmas Carol" Moment

Seems that a lot of people are grappling with what it means to keep Christmas "sane, simple, and sacred" this year.  What follows are two of my responses to peoples' blog or facebook posts this morning.  Now, I'm certainly not free from struggle and error myself.  But, friends, while we can get ideas from others, let's turn to Jesus for our Christmas sanity this year.  Taking our cues from other people only leads to comparison, complications and discontent... 
 It's not easy, is it? I'm trying to get my cues from the "still, small voice" and not the "world" around me. Staying out of stores, definitely. Upping the time I spend in the Word & prayer. Listening to praise music and carols. Being with people - not to impress or entertain, but to enjoy and rejoice together. Being "sane" re. the food I bake, eat, etc. Looking for needs around me with an eye to meeting them...

Yes, there is an alternative, and I think you have identified it in your questions and veiled words.  I'm thinking that every one of us has a "Christmas Carol" moment when the truth finally dawns on us--when we quit taking our cues from the "world" around us and decide what we really want this holiday to be about...

Praying that NOTHING will be artificial about Christmas in your heart and home this year.
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5 comments:

  1. Simply ShelleyNovember 30, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    A beautiful post with very wise advice...."Let Christ be Christmas" in our hearts and homes...blessings

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  2. Janettessage.blogspot.comNovember 30, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Amen...I wish that moment came earlier in our life time and for some I am sure it does...for me it seemed to come as I aged and as I faced struggles in this world...this year the struggles are still coming, some heart breaking and yet that makes this season even more special to me...He is our Hope! I am just soaking in His promises and His future coming while celebrating what He did for us...and the gift of salvation.

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  3. Terra November 30, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    I agree with you about Christ being the center of Christmas, and that is the theme of the book I co-authored with 5 other Christian gals. Our book contains plenty of Scripture of course and it is titled "A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday".

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  4. SandyNovember 30, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Keeping our hearts and minds centered on Jesus Christ and His birth keeps this season of love in the right perspective regardless of whether we choose to decorate and shop elaborately or to do it all in simple fashion. Jesus is the reason for all celebrating.
    I love that little tree.

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  5. BeckyDecember 2, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    Rebecca I want to thank you for your blog. I happened to read a blog from Donna and saw yours linked so here I am. I have been feeling sorry for myself; we were trying to buy a house and lost it at the last minute. So we, my hubby and I will be forced to stay in our small apartment for Christmas without all our Christmas stuff. After reading your blog I realized it is not about me! Its about a God who loves me and sent His son for me and that is the true reason for the season with my stuff or not! Thank you!

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