Oh, that look. The twitch. The shaky proclamation "you all think Christmas just HAPPENS, don't you?"
Even commercials poke fun at her, the run down vision of a mom who has visited 10 stores in pursuit of whatever toy her child requested, stayed up til 2 am wrapping gifts or baking 10 different kinds of cookies for some gathering or other.
It's a joke and we all know it - most of us can relate to feeling that way at some time during the holiday season. But beneath the laughter at it all, a still small voice inside me tells me to take a closer look.
It's Saturday and he's taken most of the kids out shopping. The baby naps and I clean and straighten decorations, preparing for company in the evening. And as I clean I begin to see the pride and perfectionism in it all. "Take them with you," I had said. "I can't get the house nice with them here." As if a home couldn't be Christmas-ready a midst childish mayhem.
Mamas, we don't "make" Christmas. We may feel like we do. We may think we do. We may even try to. "I just want to make this Christmas special." "I want to make great memories during the holidays." "I want to make my home beautiful for Christmas."
The truth is, the God of the universe did not elicit our help when He made Christmas. In fact, were we on the earth at the time, likely we wouldn't have even recognized it at all. He didn't need party planners and tinsel, flickering candles or perfectly coordinating family outfits to make Christmas happen. So why do we so often feel like we do?
"It just wouldn't be Christmas without (fill in the blank)."
Yes, it would.
God made Christmas by giving all of humanity a gift that we didn't even know we needed or wanted. He didn't wrap it in bright holly red and he didn't order it from Amazon. He made it. He didn't need us to make it special. He still doesn't.
I can't make Christmas any more than I can make reindeer fly. I can't make it by scrubbing my house extra bright or by playing Christmas music from dawn to dusk. I can't do it by decorating cookies with my little ones or surprising my husband with the perfect gift on Christmas morning.
God makes Christmas, and He offers us, even now, His Christmas gift: Peace. So why is it still so hard for us to accept?
Peace is lost in pursuit of perfection and I can't receive my heaping Christmas dose if I'm still convinced that I'm still the one who makes it all happen. Peace comes when I make space in my home and heart for Him and invite my little ones along on the journey - welcoming Christ's Christmas and letting everything else gently go.
This Advent, I'm praying to let go of pride and perfection and accept His gift of Peace.
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14
{It's Mindful Mothering Mondays, a day to take a deep breath and write out your mothering journey, whatever form it takes. A day to link up for encouragement from others who are in this same phase of life. A day of writing out the trials and triumphs and what you're learning right where you are, right now.
You might post recent struggles or thoughts. Maybe just a picture or a quote. Or maybe you'll just come here and read the links that others post. Whatever form your participation takes, this is a day for you.
We are all in this, together. Together, we can encourage and build one another up, be honest with our shortcomings and strengthened by community to keep fighting the good fight.
I chose Mondays because what Mama doesn't need a little encouragement on a Monday? As such, I'll have the link up ready to go on Sunday night for you to begin submitting your links.
I hope you'll meet with me each Monday! Here's what to do ~
Link up your post below. Remember to put the link to the exact post you want to link, and not just your blog url. Include in your post a link back here so others who want to join in can find us! And visit some other Mamas who have linked up.
Post the community graphic within your post, so people who are reading your Mindful Mothering post can come back here and find the rest of us!
Invite the writers of your favorite blogs to join in!
Share this meme with others on facebook and twitter. This community is for all moms, and the more that participate, the more we will be able to enjoy!!}
Grab the graphic here:
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Lydia, it is so funny how so many of us are at the same place right now. It is a testimony to how the world has shaped this time of year for everyone. Thank you for sharing your efforts in keeping perspective!
ReplyDeleteYes! Awesome! We just moved into a completely empty house one week ago, to spend the next 6 months in a different State, in a comparatively humongous house, taking on a more city-folk lifestyle. I was feeling saddened by the slippy-by of the days while I furnish this house with food and bedding. There was a list of things I wanted to do with my children this Christmas season, but as I sorrowed over the haven't-yet's I felt like the Holy Spirit was telling me to choose just one thing and do that. If we did that thing, we could revel in another fun project or event, but one at a time. One day at a time. Worshiping Jesus in each moment.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminders too, about not creating a magazine spread :-)
Love