Christmas Overload

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Luke 10:38-42. I love Christmas and all the things we do to celebrate Christmas. It is one of my favorite times of year. I enjoy decorating. I like buying gifts for those I love and wrapping them up in pretty paper, decorating them with ribbons and bows and putting them under the tree. I love the excitement of the holiday season. I love watching my children and grandchildren open their presents and waiting to see their reaction. I love fixing a good meal, special goodies, and dessert for my family and seeing them enjoy it.

I love celebrating Jesus’ birth and my love for Him. Sometimes I feel like all the other things we do at Christmas takes precedence over the true meaning of Christmas. The business of the season sometimes causes us to put other, more important things, on the back burner, due to lack of time. This scenario reminds me of the Mary and Martha story in the Bible where Martha is busy running around doing things to prepare for Jesus’ visit while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet enjoying spending time with Him.

We may think that Martha is the industrious one and Mary is being lazy, but Jesus says that Mary chose the more important thing. How often are we busy doing things that are not necessarily the most important thing?

By the time Christmas is over I am usually exhausted from doing all the things that we call Christmas traditions. I have been so busy preparing for Christmas that I have worn myself out. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. Do you ever feel like you’re the one doing everything, while someone else is enjoying the holiday season?

How can we change this syndrome and make it more enjoyable and relaxing for all of us? Maybe if we start earlier and spread the things we need to do over a longer period of time it wouldn’t be so stressful. Maybe we could get most of what has to do done earlier we could really enjoy the Christmas season. Then, we may be able to spend more time with friends and family and reflecting on Jesus and the love that God showed toward us when He sent Jesus to be born as our Savior. Wouldn’t that be better than working ourselves to death right up to the last-minute?

Daily Bible Reading:

Luke 10:38-42

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Things to think about:

• How do you feel after Christmas? Are you tired and exhausted or are you refreshed and excited?
• Have you ever thought maybe we try to do too much for the holidays?
• What can you do in the future to change how you feel during the Christmas holidays and after Christmas?
• Are you like Mary or are you more of a Martha?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we reflect on the Christmas season and our response to it, help us to do as Mary and choose the good part. Help us to realize the changes we need to make in order not to overwhelm or exhaust ourselves from all the activity that we have made part of our Christmas celebration. Help us to spend more time reflecting on Jesus and the love that God shared with us by sending Him to earth to become our Savior. Help us to show our love and gratitude for all You have done for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.  – Luke 10:41-42

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The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
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May God bless you and your family during this holiday season.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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PS. I will be taking some time off this week for the holidays. My husband is on vacation and my grandchildren are out of school, so I’m taking some time off so we can have some family time and I can get some  rest. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!