Just came home from dinner with my Bible cell group, and we
shared about our Christmas reflections. In the midst of cute stuffed Santas
hovering over the lamps and the aroma of Japanese food in the air, I shared how
important it is to deliberately find Jesus in all the busyness and distractions
of this season. Especially at this time when the darkness seems to be magnified
due to current events (read: death toll rising due to Typhoon Pablo here in the
Philippines; the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting incident in the US), all
the more reason for us to shine the light of Jesus to bring hope to this world.
O holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth...
A thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn
— from the song “O Holy Night”
We
can’t just fall victim to our circumstances, I shared, with layers of
distractions and burdens covering the true meaning of Christmas. We can’t allow
the evil one to steal our joy and we can’t simply resign ourselves to grapple
through these few days leading to Christmas. If we think we’ve somehow already
missed the Christmas spirit, we can ask the Lord to redeem the time that we
think was messed up. But we must celebrate now,
at this moment, for it’s Jesus’ birthday. It’s all about Him. We need to look
for that quiet place within us, even in the chaos surrounding us. And even in
all that we see, we can find Jesus.
We
walked out of the restaurant and one among us mentioned how beautiful the
decorations of the mall were. I looked up to see floor upon floor adorned with
red ornaments and Christmas lights. Such a festive sight! This just reminded me
again of the Light of the World — He it is who brings us hope.
There
is still time to find Jesus in the flurry. But maybe it only takes a few
minutes of quiet in your heart and a sincere desire to seek the Christ of
Christmas.
Jesus, everything is so busy around me. I
quiet my heart right now. Please let me know You are near. And grant me Your
peace. Amen.
For more inspiration regarding Christmas, check out these other posts:
Here are the links to the other blog carnival participants. I hope you'll take the time to visit them and leave a comment on their posts! :) The list will be updated throughout the day, so please do come back and check on them. God bless us all!
Homeschool Mosaics: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Joy: Keeping Christ in Christmas: Advent Interruptions
The Breadbox Letters: Interrupted by Glory
TwentyTuesdayAfternoons: Keeping Christ in Christmas/ The Season of Giving / A Wee Bit of Beach Holiday Angst
The Learning Basket: Staying With the Nativity Story
Tercets: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Rosary Mom: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Ate Maui: Hoping and Bringing Hope
Written By the Finger of God: 12 Traditions for Keeping Christ in Christmas
Dominique's Desk: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Felix at Fifty: What Jesus Wants for Christmas
Mommy Bares All: Birthday Cake for the Birthday Boy on Christmas Day
Between Now and Later: Keeping Christ in Christmas, I am trying...
Lique's Antics: Family Antics: Christmas Reflection
Life of Fortunate Chances: Our First Ever Christmas: Keeping Christ in Christmas
The Mommy Journey: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Roller Coaster Ride: How to Remind Your Kids of Jesus Christ This Christmas
Cymplified: Christ -Centered Christmas: Cymplified!
Mountain Grace: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Touring Kitty: Grown-up Christmas List
Mommy Chinkysoup for the Soul: A Very Special Christmas
City Girl, Country Home: Finding Jesus in a Flurry
Coffee Moments with Sam: Christmas Unwrapped: 5 Presents Our Kids Truly Deserve
Raising Lifelong Learners: Keeping Christ in Christmas
The Diary of a Sower: Keeping Christ in Christmas: Celebrating the Golden Days
Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Raising (and Teaching) Little Saints: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Truly Rich Mom: The Greatest Gift of All This Christmas
Joy-Filled Family: CHRIST in Christmas
Blueberry 010: Keeping Christ in Christmas: Jesus is the Reason for the Season
Deeper Truth Blog: Keeping Christ in Christmas Carnival
Holy Ducklings: 10 Ways to Make Advent Special for Your Little Ducklings
Green Eggs and Moms: Keeping Christ in Christmas: Green Eggs & Moms Style!
Joy: Keeping Christ in Christmas: Advent Interruptions
The Breadbox Letters: Interrupted by Glory
TwentyTuesdayAfternoons: Keeping Christ in Christmas/ The Season of Giving / A Wee Bit of Beach Holiday Angst
The Learning Basket: Staying With the Nativity Story
Tercets: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Rosary Mom: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Ate Maui: Hoping and Bringing Hope
Written By the Finger of God: 12 Traditions for Keeping Christ in Christmas
Dominique's Desk: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Felix at Fifty: What Jesus Wants for Christmas
Mommy Bares All: Birthday Cake for the Birthday Boy on Christmas Day
Between Now and Later: Keeping Christ in Christmas, I am trying...
Lique's Antics: Family Antics: Christmas Reflection
Life of Fortunate Chances: Our First Ever Christmas: Keeping Christ in Christmas
The Mommy Journey: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Roller Coaster Ride: How to Remind Your Kids of Jesus Christ This Christmas
Cymplified: Christ -Centered Christmas: Cymplified!
Mountain Grace: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Touring Kitty: Grown-up Christmas List
Mommy Chinkysoup for the Soul: A Very Special Christmas
City Girl, Country Home: Finding Jesus in a Flurry
Coffee Moments with Sam: Christmas Unwrapped: 5 Presents Our Kids Truly Deserve
Raising Lifelong Learners: Keeping Christ in Christmas
The Diary of a Sower: Keeping Christ in Christmas: Celebrating the Golden Days
Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Raising (and Teaching) Little Saints: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Truly Rich Mom: The Greatest Gift of All This Christmas
Joy-Filled Family: CHRIST in Christmas
Blueberry 010: Keeping Christ in Christmas: Jesus is the Reason for the Season
Deeper Truth Blog: Keeping Christ in Christmas Carnival
Holy Ducklings: 10 Ways to Make Advent Special for Your Little Ducklings
Green Eggs and Moms: Keeping Christ in Christmas: Green Eggs & Moms Style!
Love your post's title! We really do need to disengage from the Christmas being peddled to us and "find Jesus in the flurry."
ReplyDeleteHi Mariel! And thanks! Yes, I think we really need to be deliberate about it, as there are so many things that can potentially rob us of what Christmas is all about. Have a blessed Christmas!
DeleteThis is wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy! Thanks for your comment. Have a blessed merry Christmas!
DeleteI love this reflection, Mich! I am reminded of what I took up in Catholic World History before: When Jesus came into the world during that first Christmas, he came amidst the busyness of the census. However, it was during a point in history when the nation of Israel was at peace; there was no war. To me, it's a great example of how Christ comes to really bring PEACE to our chaos. Imagine that: When He was born into this world, there really was reason for us to experience "heavenly peace," as the Silent Night carol goes.
ReplyDeleteThis year, I'm glad Christmas has been peaceful, and filled with many moments of blessing. It's unlike Christmases before, and I am very grateful to God for that.
Love this blog series, too!
Hi Martine! Thanks for the comment! Indeed, He is the Prince of Peace! Glad to hear you're having a wonderful Christmas! Blessings!
DeleteHi Mich! :) So sorry for the late comment. Thank you SO much for joining the carnival! :) I LOVED reading your post — it's a wonderful reminder of how to truly keep focused on Jesus during what others consider a crazy, "commercialized" season, and of not losing hope even when it seems that there's so much hopelessness in our world. I love the idea of finding Jesus in the flurry! :) Thank you for the reminder of how to keep Christ in Christmas! :) God bless always!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina! No need for apologies! Thanks to you for organizing this blog carnival; am just happy to be a part of it! May your New Year and the rest of your Christmas season be Jesus-filled! Blessings!
ReplyDelete