STOP

It's official.  It's December 1st!  The radio's are all playing Christmas music around the clock, Black Friday has past, but the push is on.  Just think, a week or so ago you thought, boy am I busy, and now you can add Christmas preparations to the mix.  Whom shall you mimic, Martha or Mary or maybe both?  I tend to straddle the line and morph both gals, we'll call her Marthy.  As usual, I want it all.  I want to prepare my heart for advent, but I want mistletoe and frolicking too.  I breeze through the day juggling many things.  The Marthy in me wants to buy a goat for a village in Haiti and I want to get the best deals on my loved ones wish lists.  I want to bake cookies and serve at the soup kitchen.  I want to host a party or two and I want to have devotionals with my kids.  These are all good, noble things but I must, must, STOP!

I need to light a candle, get out my bible and emerge myself in the Light of the World.  He has come, He has done the impossible and wants me to take hold of His glory.  I pondered the angel coming to young Mary and assigning her the responsibility and the miracle of carrying God's son.  She only asked how it was to happen, not about her fiancee' being hurt and confused, not the prospect of being stoned to death, nothing about her anxiety of the magnitude of this circumstance, she simply trusted and laid aside everything else.

We too need to lay aside the pull and tug this season demands and stop to sit at the feet of Jesus.  We make time to allot how much we are going to spend for presents, we spend time marking our calendar for parties and events.  What about making time for Christ in this holiday that is all about Him...Christmas.  This post is to encourage you to light a candle and let the glow of Immanuel emanate in your heart.

William Holman Hunt

Matt. 5:14-16: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Seeking Him,

E.W.