Oh my goodness. How I have MISSED you, dearest readers. I know you all must think I had died...or fallen off the edge of the world. But, I've been here. Quiet, and busy pondering what life needs to look like in our home. Speaking of which, I have SO MUCH to tell all of you!! Goodness sakes--so much around here has changed! But, first--this post. Because this post has brought me back to this space, I want to share these thoughts first. Then, maybe in the days to come I can start sharing some of the things that have changed around here since this summer (when I last posted.)
(Have I mentioned HOW MUCH I have missed all of you?)
This picture is what brought me back to you guys...
Okay, so the picture didn't bring me back here, exactly. But, what's missing in the picture.
Today, as I was rushing around (okay, tearing through the house, running to my next event), I noticed my little side table in front of our Christmas tree. More specifically, I noticed that the table was empty.
In fact, I stopped for just a moment in front of the table.
Where is the Nativity?
In that moment of pause, I realized that our tree is up. The lights were even sparkling in the broad daylight. I noticed the stockings were hung by the chimney with care. I even noticed the hurriedly tied taffeta plaid ribbons on the candles that normally flank the Nativity set.
But, why hadn't I set up the Nativity?
In my own typical fashion, I started reminding myself of the excuses about why I had forgotten the Nativity. (Who else gives themselves excuses? Like, I am having a conversation in my head where I am telling myself excuses--to make myself feel better...Does anybody else notice how crazy that sounds?!!)
Here were the excuses I listed off (in my imaginary conversation with myself):
Decorating this year was a VERY haphazard, VERY rushed to-do, that I needed to check off my list. I completed it one night late--and only because my youngest was dying to give me a surprise ornament...once the tree was up.
I ended up decorating days later than normal--just because life has been crazy busy. I'm kind of impressed with myself that I even have decorated this much by now.
Our family has had a recent big change, and our time at home has been very limited. When we do get home in the evenings, we do the essentials and fall into bed.
Today, as I was giving myself all of my excuses for why I had neglected to put the Nativity up, I realized one thing.
That one thing is what I want to share with you:
The Nativity is the ONLY thing that matters during this season of crazy busy.
The thing that I had neglected in all of my busyness and excuses, was the only thing that matters.
Wow, that is such a lesson for MYSELF. In all of my rushing around, checking things off my list, even trying to be "present" in each moment...none of that matters.
What matters is the Nativity.
Humble Mary and Joseph traveled to Joseph's hometown, so that Mary could deliver MY DELIVERER.
The One who loves me in spite of my busyness and oversight--He came as a tiny baby so that I could have peace and love and joy in this crazy world we live in.
Jesus came as a baby for ME.
And Jesus came as a baby for YOU. For all the world to know that He loves them.
Today, I hope you are able to take a quiet moment and reflect on your own Nativity...
Where is YOUR Nativity this season?
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
-Luke 2:4-20
