I wonder, my dear sisters in Christ, if you are struggling this fine wintery morning. As the sparkle of frost dances across the trees and glitters on every surface, it is easy to see that Christmas is a week away, here in the beautiful mountains of Tennessee. I wish you could see the view from my window, as the smoky fog curls up from the lake, moving silently as the sun rises. The blue mountains in the background stand still, quiet and stalwart in the distance. As the sun crests the hill and moves higher into the sky, the frost sparkles one last time, before it begins to melt in the coming day.

Dear sisters are you feeling like the frost on this glittery winter morning, alive and bright until the light of day melts you as the weight of your responsibilities overtakes you. Ahh, but the plans we started with this Christmas season always look different than the paths our lives somehow take. Beginning with the best of intentions to embrace simplicity, to slow down, to let there be days of no activity, to do Advent every single night…do you notice that even simplicity is a “to do list?” We have to make a “to do” list just to slow down! There are blank spots on our calendars, surely that must be a mistake and they beckon to be filled as the month goes on. The most frightening thing of all is the massive “COULD DO” list dancing merrily in our heads! We COULD do this and we COULD do that, and wouldn’t it be nice to cram one more Christmas memory in.

As our plans for a simple memorable Christmas focused on the Savior seems to be slipping away, remember, it is not too late. We have a week to put Martha in check and become more like Mary, worshipping at the feet of our Savior. A week! We can turn aside from the busyness and sit at His feet. Oh join me dear sisters, and please send this on to other women you know who are struggling through the season!

Prayer: Wonderful, merciful Savior, we praise you for creating the heavens and the earth and all that is in it. We thank you so much for sending your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be born of a virgin, on that Christmas so long ago. You are the only reason we celebrate, yet the season of your birth gets so wrapped in a flurry of activity. Forgive us for getting caught up in it all. Lord here we are again, at your throne begging for grace. Help us redeem our time, looking toward You in love and thankfulness and letting go of the “to do” and “could do” lists running in our heads. Help our focus to be squarely on you. We thank you for coming to earth to save us, for your sacrifice and your love. We love you Lord. Amen