May the Fourth Be with You
That’s my play on words from Star Wars as I invite you to join me in celebrating this 4th Sunday of Advent. Now, we’re on the fast track to Christmas. It’s 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’m 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’ve decided to forego our family get-together until next year when everyone will be settled in. I’ll be making a quick trip to Rusk on the 23rd and 24th and return to Austin to celebrate with the family here. Mama’s got game and game this year is being flexible.
It’s 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 – 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 “on-the-move” to Bethlehem. Their baby was soon to be born and they needed a place to stay! Aren’t we thankful that there was no room in the inn for them or we wouldn’t be singing “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed” or “Sweet little holy child, born in a manger”?
For them – 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 – 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’s 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’s way of thinking which is the celebration of His Son. If I let myself think it’s about me, I’d be in a tizzy that my Christmas traditions weren’t being kept. Our lives, wants and desires should be wrapped around THE ONE Who we celebrate. I’m determining in this uncommon Christmas to focus on Jesus’ birthday. It’s ALL about the LIFE and Star of the Christmas Story, Mary’s baby boy Who grew up to be our great I AM. “I AM” is our protector, our healer, our strength, our joy giver, our way-maker, truth-finder, and peace-provider.
Maybe you’ve been in a little whiny mode like me. Since it’s Christ’s 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’re 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’ll 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!
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” — Jesus (John 10:10)