I pray this message finds everyone peaceful and joyful after a wonderful Christmas with loved ones.
My Christmas was wonderful this year, and very different from last year. Christmas 2010 I was sharing a bathroom with 30 something people, singing spanish carols, sleeping in a tent on a porch and participating in a special Spades Tournament as the main event of the day. We did not exchange gifts on purpose. That year of the World Race was about sacrifice, not about making it comfortable by reverting to our old habits of gift giving and filling the day with lots of stuff.
Christmas 2011, I am a missionary living in Gainesville working from an office, as well as working in a church nursery, I share an apartment with 4 other people, I sang Dolly Parton, Dave Barnes, Justin Bieber and NSYNC Christmas carols in my car on the way to work and the supermarket. and on Christmas day I ate lots of food, laughed with family, and snuggled with my dog. It sounds pretty simple still, and yet I struggled so much.
I didn’t shower my family and friends with presents. I never wore the best designer clothes to any party, nor did I prepare any fancy cheese and wine tray. This year was similar to last year in that it was still more about Jesus than presents. But there was still something off.
In the midst of running to this party with these people, and family Christmas dinners, friend gatherings at coffee shops, special concerts at church, and any other random activity with the title of Christmas or advent attached to it, I was involved with this year. It almost wore me out! i was going and doing so much, that the season almost lost its sparkle. I got stuck in the hustle and bustle, and the overwhelming speed of America, that I didn’t take enough time to sit and ponder. To sit and think about Jesus. Little 8lb infant Jesus. Born amongst stinky farm animals and hay. Without a huge crowd around Him. He wasn’t wearing a stylish baby Gap onesie or converse shoes. People did not bring any brie or caviar or merlot to enjoy. There were no party games or special speeches to recite. It was simple. It was just about Jesus.
Christmas is not over, just so you know. It is still the season for giving, loving, joy, peace and Jesus. There is still time to stop moving and going, and just be still. I am more than confident that sitting in the presence of the Lord will be much more fufilling than anything else you will do this season. Enjoy that simple gift. The best one of all.
