That\u2019s my play on words from Star Wars as I invite you to join me in celebrating this 4th Sunday of Advent. Now, we\u2019re on the fast track to Christmas. It\u2019s very different for us this year. My daughter and family made big adjustments when they bought 60 acres of property in Rusk, TX, sold their home in Frisco and are still living in the RV on the property while their home is being built.
And, my son and family sold their huge estate in Spanish Oaks and are leasing a home in Lakeway, TX while their new home is being built. I\u2019m the only one who is standing put in my apartment home that I love so much! With so much going on in Rusk and Austin, we\u2019ve decided to forego our family get-together until next year when everyone will be settled in. I\u2019ll be making a quick trip to Rusk on the 23rd and 24th and return to Austin to celebrate with the family here. Mama\u2019s got game and game this year is being flexible.
It\u2019s okay! Being flexible has worked well for our families for years. We never had any family controversaries about where we would go and what we would do for the holidays. We have learned to go with the flow \u2013 with the pressure valve turned off. Harmony is best achieved by bending.
We can take some lessons from Mary and Joseph. They proved peace and harmony can remain regardless of best or worst circumstances. They were \u201con-the-move\u201d to Bethlehem. Their baby was soon to be born and they needed a place to stay! Aren\u2019t we thankful that there was no room in the inn for them or we wouldn\u2019t be singing \u201cAway in a manger, no crib for a bed\u201d or \u201cSweet little holy child, born in a manger\u201d?
For them \u2013 it was ALL about Jesus, the Son of God, being born. And so, it should be for us. In years past, my Christmas traditions were such a big deal to me \u2013 the inside and outside of the house looked like a Christmas store. I made dozens of cookies and candies to share with family and friends. I handwrote and mailed a flood of Christmas cards bearing my family\u2019s picture. I spent hours shopping for the just right gifts. Despite my best intentions to make Christ the center of our Christmas, hyper mode was my center.
As we look at this 4th Sunday of Advent, may we consider coming back to the principle thing! Personally, I am recalibrating my thinking to God\u2019s way of thinking which is the celebration of His Son. If I let myself think it\u2019s about me, I\u2019d be in a tizzy that my Christmas traditions weren\u2019t being kept. Our lives, wants and desires should be wrapped around THE ONE Who we celebrate. I\u2019m determining in this uncommon Christmas to focus on Jesus\u2019 birthday. It\u2019s ALL about the LIFE and Star of the Christmas Story, Mary\u2019s baby boy Who grew up to be our great I AM. \u201cI AM\u201d is our protector, our healer, our strength, our joy giver, our way-maker, truth-finder, and peace-provider.
Maybe you\u2019ve been in a little whiny mode like me. Since it\u2019s Christ\u2019s birthday, we need to LET IT GO! (Thanks, Frozen!) We need to let go of the changes in our lives and the disappointments about things being different than they once were. No matter how we decorate the house for His party or undecorate the house because we\u2019re moving, it is still ALL about Him Who is always the LIFE of the party. He has come to give life to all the people at the party. And, when we lean in even closer, we\u2019ll find that the LIFE of the party holds out Himself as the gift that keeps on giving. And the gift tag? It has our names on it. Oh, what a relief it is!
\u201cI came that they may have life and have it abundantly.\u201d \u2014 Jesus (John 10:10)
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