Advent season is upon us! Our calendars are filling up with concerts, parties, Christmas programs, family gatherings, and, and, and… it’s overwhelming! Help!
And just as quick as that, you’ve lost Baby Jesus!
Years ago, my daughter Sabreana and I were unpacking the Christmas decorations. I was absent-mindedly setting out decorations and I heard Sabreana muttering and scratching around in boxes. She was getting upset and fearing for the Christmas decorations; I asked her what was wrong. “We’ve lost Baby Jesus!” was her response. Sabreana knew it wasn’t Christmas without the Baby Jesus to put into the nativity set – so she was afraid that there wouldn’t be any Christmas. We did find the Baby Jesus and He was placed into the nativity set, Sabreana was happy, and Christmas happened without any more issues.
I will admit that I fall into the holiday frenzy – it’s easy for me to get overwhelmed in the details. Sometimes it feels like I’ve lost Baby Jesus. I lose sight of what Christmas really means, of what I should be celebrating at Christmas. And then begins the search to find Baby Jesus.
I decided that I didn’t want to “lose Baby Jesus” this Christmas. I have found I need to purposefully set aside a quiet, peaceful time to focus on the message of Christmas. I tried doing it in the morning, but I can get so easily distracted with thoughts of what needs to be done each day. So, I am doing a nighttime devotion this year. After everyone has gone to bed for the night, the house is quiet, the Christmas lights are on, and I am more open and willing to listen to what God has to say to me. The busyness has quieted and it is an intentional time I spend reading, praying, and listening. So far, it’s working. I haven’t “lost Baby Jesus” yet.
It’s the words of O Little Town of Bethlehem that inspired me to try a different time.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see the lie;
above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Notice the idea of Bethlehem being still in the night with the silent stars going by? It was that picture of a quiet town with stars above that appealed to me. In the busyness of the season, it’s the quietness I need to help me focus on the message of Advent and to prepare my heart for the joy of Christmas.
It doesn’t matter where or when you take time to focus on the message. What is important is that you do it. Deliberately set aside time to spend with God during the Advent season. Think about the wonderful, life-changing gift that God shared with us at Christmas – His Son, Jesus. Don’t “lose Baby Jesus!”
Bev Barnes, Admin. Assistant to the Communications Team
