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Advent Meditation: How to Celebrate Christmas When You’re Short on Time
Read
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled‚ neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)
Reflect
“You hate Christmas‚” my husband told me last year.
“I don’t either!”
“You do.”
We were both right. I love Christmas—but I kind of hate it too. Not because of the gifts or the concerts or the parties—I love those things. I love the lights‚ the hot chocolate‚ and the music. I love the kids’ concerts‚ the candles at church‚ and the focus on Jesus. I don’t even mind the shopping or the long drive home to be with family.
What I don’t love is the crunch. Our everyday lives are fairly full‚ and we rely heavily on good routines and rhythms to keep us on track. Christmas‚ with extra festivities and responsibilities‚ can be hard on a schedule. (And‚ for that matter‚ on a budget!)
When we’re racing the kids to church pageant practice‚ and then to pick out a Christmas tree‚ and then to the store to pick up groceries‚ and then home to do homework‚ we start to feel like there isn’t enough—not enough time‚ not enough money‚ not enough patience. That feeling of “not enough” can make me start to panic. How on earth are we going to get all this done in that amount of time? I begin snapping at those around me: “Hurry up!” “We don’t have time for that!” “Didn’t you get that done?” To my family‚ it can look like I hate Christmas.
We start to feel like there isn’t enough—not enough time‚ not enough money‚ not enough patience.
It’s ironic‚ isn’t it? Because if there’s one thing Christians are promised in lavish‚ unending abundance‚ it’s time (John 3:16). We’ll literally have forever to worship the Lord‚ to remember his goodness and salvation‚ and to celebrate with those we love. I don’t know what life will be like in the new creation‚ but I don’t think we’ll be lamenting the tasks we didn’t get done back in this life.
Remembering that eternity awaits helps me relax today. If we don’t get the perfect gifts ordered‚ or decorate the tree the day after Thanksgiving‚ or make it to every performance‚ that’s OK. There will be plenty of time later.
The truth can also help us prioritize. If there’s ample time later‚ what’s important to do now? Since we have limited time on this broken planet‚ maybe we’d be better off using it to encourage a harried store clerk or say a prayer with a lonely neighbor. Maybe we could schedule coffee with an old friend or volunteer to help at church.
If there’s ample time later‚ what’s important to do now?
Maybe we could shift focus from not having enough time for ourselves to seeing opportunities to share Christ with others.
While we do‚ we can trust that God‚ who created both time and tasks‚ sees what we need and will provide it (Matt. 6:25–34). We can trust his Spirit to help and guide us (John 14:26). And we can trust his peace‚ which surpasses all understanding‚ will guard both our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).
Respond
What “not enough” makes you feel anxious this time of year? Not enough time? Money? Relationships? Given both our abundance and limitations‚ what deserves prioritization?
Rejoice
And ye‚ beneath life’s crushing load‚
Whose forms are bending low‚
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow‚
Look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road‚
And hear the angels sing!
For lo!‚ the days are hastening on‚
By prophet bards foretold‚
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling‚
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.
– Edmund Sears‚ “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
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