Busy making preparations vs. necessity
Every Christmas season, my mind is drawn to the account of Martha & Mary - 2 sisters blessed by a visit from Jesus in their home (Luk 10.38-42). It’s not a typical “Christmas” passage of Scripture but it is very instructive for those who celebrate Christmas.
Martha was frantically making preparations to serve Jesus and became annoyed that Mary wasn’t helping -but was sitting around listening to Jesus.
Doesn’t that characterize the struggle for those who chose to participate in Christmas celebrations? We’re all so busy making preparations- including the church - in special activities, services, etc. that we neglect the “one thing [that] is necessary” - sitting at the Master’s feet and listening to Him (Luke 10.42). The problem is compounded further when we realize so much of our busyness at Christmas isn’t even due to serving Jesus - but rather ourselves & in some cases, others!
If you chose to celebrate Christmas, how do you avoid being “distracted with much serving (or in our case ‘celebrating’)” (Luke 10.40) and choosing the “good portion” of listening to Jesus (Luke 10.42, 39)?
For me the key is to purpose to put God first. I keep my habits of prayer and Scripture reading without compromise (except in an emergency). As an example, if we were going shopping for gifts, it would not be during the times i have set aside for my prayer and Scripture.
Other than that, i find it also helps to see God in all that we do. He is the God of everything, not just our quiet time with Him. So as we are out shopping I may look for opportunities to witness or ways to thank God or even just enjoy some of His wonderful creation. Really, anywhere we go can be a place to worship God if we have a Christ-focused heart. I find it fun to even start singing hymns and praise songs with the kids while we are out and about (notice i said kids, my wife is a bit shy in that department, which is a shame because she is the only one that can actually sing).
Comment by theologian — December 8, 2006 @ 2:43 pm
Thanks theologian - those are good observations!
Comment by rpcb — December 8, 2006 @ 4:52 pm
You make preparation part of the celebration. I beleive it is to be approached in a joyful attitude and part of the celebration. In addition, if we rightly know how to celebrate every Lord’s Day, it will go a long way in equipping us for celebrations such as Christmas.
Comment by David McCrory — December 8, 2006 @ 5:21 pm
Good point David regarding faithfully keeping the Lord’s Day - the fourth commandment has become the FOURgotten commandment!
Comment by rpcb — December 8, 2006 @ 5:30 pm