Replacing anxiety with thanks this Christmas.
Isaiah 9:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This year my family and I already have it done before the 23rd of December! We have purchased our Christmas tree! Usually we wait until everyone is home for the Christmas break (around the 23rd), we go out amid the frantic traffic and sometimes snowy weather and try to find a lot that still has some Christmas trees. We finally find a tree and quickly get it home to decorate it while other preparations still need to be done and time is running out.
This year we decided to change ‘our tradition’ from a frantic ‘let’s get it done’ approach to a more relaxed approach where we have lots of time to choose the tree, and create a special time where we could trim the trunk and branches where necessary, decorate it and share the memories of years past. I have to say that I ‘pushed back’ a little to the change, but when we were doing it, I was convinced that this change was good. It was relaxed - not stressful. I was better able to reflect on the experience and reflect on the gift of the Christ child to the world. My experience was that thanksgiving replaced anxiety.
We too often hear that people are stressed out at Christmas because of all the busyness, the expectations of others, and the focus on consumerism. Jesus, on the other hand, came to bring peace to the world and to our everyday lives. This advent/Christmas season consider making changes to decrease the anxiety and increase your thanks for the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ your Saviour. You will notice the difference.
With joy,
Pastor Ed
