It is Christmas season, and no matter how much we want to get away from the hustle and bustle, we are knee-deep. There is a narrative I have seen these past few years about needing to slow down and cut the busyness out of our life. But what if you want busyness?
For those who like the busyness and need it in their lives (me included) – how do we do it with balance and mindfulness so that it is backed with purpose and intent? For me, the bustle of the season is about creating a season of celebration that is set apart from the rest of the year. It is about creating memories that my children will never forget. It is about connecting and bringing everyone together to partake in the traditions and festivities. We can have a purpose for our busyness and then create meaningful activities around it. The key is to create purpose and have intent in everything you do, and you will be okay with this type of busyness.
Making Jesus the center of our busyness
This year, we refocused our busyness around Jesus Christ. We did two things this year that my kids willingly and excitedly took part in – a family devotional and a Christmas prayer jar. For those who missed it, I wrote a family devotional this year to teach our kids about how God had planned the birth of Jesus and why it matters to us as believers.
As we reflect on this story, I want to encourage you with three takeaways about our faith and why Jesus should be the reason for our EVERY season.,
1. Humility:
Many prophecies proclaimed that God was sending a King of Kings, a Messiah, a Savior, and a Prince of Peace. God’s people might have been waiting for a mighty king who would fulfill that prophecy – one who would rule over them – a king with a mighty palace and army. But God had different plans. No one knew, and many didn’t believe this King would be born as a baby and raised in the midst of them. No one would have imagined that he would be a commoner among the people.
But God knew. He chose to send him in the flesh so he may live among the people and preach the word of God. The story of Jesus had to be relatable for many centuries to come. Jesus had to win over the hearts and souls of those who didn’t believe, and he couldn’t have done it without his humble existence.
It is a great lesson for us that if the King of Kings and Lord of Lords lived among men, we could humble ourselves and follow in his footsteps. Jesus was obedient to God and the Holy Spirit, essential for him to live a sinless life. I would love to write a whole blog about the holy spirit, but I will leave that for another day.
2. The New Covenant
When the messianic prophecy (the prophecy of the anticipated Savior) was fulfilled, it also established the new covenant. If you read the first five books of the Old Testament, you will learn a lot about the life of the Israelites. God’s chosen people were set apart to be holy; therefore, they lived around rules and rituals.
When Jesus came to earth, a new covenant was established, freeing us from the ritualist lifestyle to focus on what mattered most – our hearts. It was not in the outward act that redeemed us from our sinful nature. When Jesus died on that cross, he changed the narrative. Everyone in the world had a way to eternity by accepting Christ Jesus not through ritualist practices that atoned for sin but by renewing our hearts and minds. This is the first prophecy God made to Abraham thousands of years ago when he said he would bless all the nations through him.
I always talk about this freedom we have with my oldest kid about how life would have been if we had to sacrifice animals every time we sinned, and we are thankful that we are freed from it.
3. The word of God is true
The Bible narrates from Abraham’s days that a savior would come to save the world. God repeatedly sent messengers to remind his people that that day would come. He even said where he would come from, who his family would be, and what he would do for us. We’ve seen all of these prophecies fulfilled in the coming of Jesus on that particular Christmas day when he was born.
Because of this and so much more, we can rest assured that we can lean on the word of God to be true and to guide us, give us hope, prepare us for the future, give us a moral compass, and prepare us for a life with him in eternity. Let’s take some time to read the word of God and be empowered to lead a holy and pleasing life to God.
Final Thoughts
No matter what this season looks like, I hope you will do what you find most joyful for your family and loved ones. But in all the busyness, make time for Christ and remember that Christmas would not be a season without him. I wish you and your loved ones a joyous Christmas.
Great article!
Thank you!