A Cure for the Christmas Cranky?

I love Christmas, but I don't always love me at Christmas. The busyness of buying and baking and wrapping and decorating makes me weary (and cranky). I confess that in December my time with the Lord seems more like the Christmas rush.

Why do I stress doing all I put pressure on myself to do when Christ says It is finished? Why spend days seeking the perfect gift when the Only Perfect Gift has already been given?

No need for visions of sugar plums dancing in my head. I already have it all because I have Jesus!  All I want in my head this Christmas is Him!

I love Jesus and He loves me. That's all I need for Christmas.

So, how do I keep my Christmas focus on Christ? I love curling up with Jesus and a good advent devotional book, feeling His Arms of love surround me as my heart rests in Him and His Word. This year I am reading One Clear, Still Night: 31 Advent Devotionals with Inspirational Readings, Recipes, and Ideas to Help Make Christmas Meaningful written by Terri A. Groh. One Clear, Still Night keeps  me from joining the rush and crush of Christmas, as I focus on the One Who came on a clear, still night to keep my mind clear (not cluttered) and still (not stressed).



One Clear, Still Night is available on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/One-Clear-Still-Night-Inspirational/dp/1484801504/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385398347&sr=1-1&keywords=one+clear+still+night

Share a splash of serenity: We'd love to hear how you keep Jesus from becoming part of your Christmas rush. Please share books you read or other Christmas traditions which help you focus on Christ. Thank you.

Splashes of Serenity is what we all need at Christmas!

Christmas Through the Heart of a Child

I love experiencing Christmas through the hearts and eyes of children. They teach us so much. Last weekend I took a walk in the snow with my sweet granddaughter, Brenna.

"What would you like for Christmas?" I asked.

"Grandma, you're not Santa Claus!"

"I know I'm not Santa Claus. But I want to buy you a gift for Christmas. What would you like?"

"Grandma, it's NOT MY birthday. It's Jesus's birthday!"

 I could almost hear the SHEESH!!! in her rolling eyes! Adults can exasperate children with our stupidity.

Brenna made me think, What will I give Jesus for His birthday? Good question.

How about you? What will you give to Jesus this Christmas? I suggest your children (and you) include Jesus on your Christmas gift list. Then we'll sleep like Brenna knowing Christmas isn't all about us. It's all about Jesus.

 

 

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay

Close by me forever and love me I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And take us to Heaven to live with thee there.



Wishing you a December filled with peace-filled sleep and splashes of serenity,

Serenity Came Down at Christmas

Today I welcome the man who has splashed me with serenity and love for 41 years. Recopied from the C&MA Northeastern District newsletter, may its truth give us cause for pause.

Another Advent season is upon us and with it the joyful
expectation of, and preparation for, the celebration of our Savior’s
birth. This Christmas day as Elaine and I are gratefully recalling the birth
of baby Jesus, we will also be excitedly awaiting the birth of baby Isaac, our eighth grandchild who is due to arrive December 27th. As have our other
grandkids, we know Isaac will light up our lives in wonderful ways.

The light a newborn brings to his family is dazzling but it pales in comparison to the light that came into the world with the birth of Jesus Christ. Though not often regarded as a Christmas hymn, P.P. Bliss’ “The Light of The World” conveys a powerful Christmas message:

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
The light of the world is Jesus;
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
The light of the world is Jesus.

The darkness of our sinful world is pervasive. Every day reminders of that
truth come to us through our newspapers, televisions, computers, and smart
phones. Just when we think sin has hit us with its best (worst) shot, some
new headline or news thread reminds us that Satan is as active as ever. He
still prowls around like a lion, looking for someone to devour. Every
depressing, even disgusting, account of his successful attacks reveals how
desperately people need to come from the darkness of their sin into the light of God’s love and mercy through Jesus Christ.

As we all move through this precious season of the year, may our eyes,
minds, and hearts be fixed on Jesus, the light of the world. May our lives and our churches shine the brilliant light of our Savior into the darkness of our world as we remember these darkness-piercing words from Dwight Hall’s
song, “Lord, in This Urgent Hour.”

Millions are lost from Thee,
Great God of Majesty,
Oh, Savior, set them free,
Great God of love.

Lord, let your light shine through us,
Dan