Busy, Busy...Hey, It's Christmas, Right?

Can "good" works still be just works?

Seems like the world speeds up in December, doesn't it? Decorating, shopping, parties, programs, family events on top of normal life flow...did I mention shopping? Ileen and I were discussing all that and more yesterday; how could we help someone that may be in need? Demonstrate to our children the spirit of Christmas? Get beyond ourselves?

Father really pressed into me the thought that it still needs to start with Him. That if we, as individuals, as families, as churches, start the Christmas season off with a laundry list of things to do...well, then that's exactly what we'll have. Christmas will evaporate into New Year's celebrations and we'll once again wonder where it went.

Ileen and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary by returning to many of the places that were special to us during our whirlwind dating relationship. The beach where we met, the cliffs where we married...some of the places we frequented. We inundated ourselves with memories while walking hand in hand, drawing closer to each other than we had in years. We focused...no, really, really focused...on each other. I enjoyed her smile, her laughter, her thoughts...And love that had grown comfortable, too comfortable, became vibrant again.

I think that our relationship with Father God can suffer a similar fate, especially to those that are "experienced" in their faith..."plugged in" and pillars of the christian community. There are lessons to research, programs to rehearse, events to plan...all on top of the normal family Christmas celebrations. Quoting from T. Austin-Sparks:

“Spirituality cannot be obtained in an hour of emergency, it is only proved then. Let us see to it that we are not resting on things, be they most devout; but rather learning to know the Lord.”

Perhaps hijacking the author's original intent...still, the thought is valid. Without a vibrant, current, living relationship with Father, all the "things" of Christmas become just that.

May we all focus...really, really focus...on our relationship with Father; walk hand in hand, remember, listen, draw close to Him, return to our "first love" (Rev 2:4)...and move through the Christmas season full of His joy, His warmth, His love...knowing that we are truly His hands and feet.
Merry Christmas!