Welcome guest blogger and freelance writer, Cheri Liefeld:"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19
The last few Christmas mornings I woke up and realized I missed Christmas. I let busy work schedules and distractions keep me from experiencing Christmas.
Sure, I had fun watching my niece and nephews open up their presents; I even made it to two school programs. But there was little joy and I forgot about the hope this season offers. I missed reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas.
This Christmas I am choosing a different path. I left my job with the crazy schedule. I made a conscious choice to approach it differently. I am trying to soak it in. I am taking moments each morning to spend time with God. I have let go and decided to stop trying to create the perfect Christmas moments. I can tell you that what God has brought my way has been much better.
Today I was thinking about Mary and what she let go of in her life to give birth to Jesus. She gave up control of her life and the plans she was making. She let go of what people thought - you know there had to be whispers. She chose to believe the Angel of the Lord and walk in faith. Her faith in God leads her to being the mother of Jesus and receiving favor.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:16-19 NIV).
Treasure and ponder - don't you love those words? I want to treasure the moments and the people the Lord brings into my life this month. I want to ponder all that God has done in my life this year; the way He saved this broken girl so many years ago and transformed my life. I want to meditate on His words and then put them into action. I want to give more than I receive.
Mary focused on what really mattered. She did not miss the moment. What can you let go of this Christmas season?
Cheri Liefeld is a freelance writer and speaker who focuses on food, faith and family over at Adventures In The Kitchen and GirlGodGrace. Her passion is to encourage women to find healing from their past and experience the grace of God.
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