“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” – Hebrews 12:2
My work week is probably just like most of yours: full of emails, meetings, and everyday tasks. I am lucky to have a few hours each week teaching and listening to children talk and learn about God. This is a very bright part of my week, but the children probably teach me more than I will ever be able to teach them.
Each week, I ask if there is anything that the children would like to celebrate with the entire group. I get all kinds of answers: my friend had a birthday party, I have a loose tooth, I got an extra recess at school this week, and the list goes on and on.
It’s funny how they always have something to celebrate and be excited about. I think as we get older and busier with life, we forget about the little things in life to celebrate. Too often, I look past mine: I was able to spend time with my extended family, I was able to go to dinner with a friend to celebrate a promotion, or even as simple as I was able to slow down and have a night in with my son.
During the season of Advent, we seem to catch ourselves becoming even busier with the holiday festivities, shopping for gifts, parties, Christmas plays, and celebrations. I pray this year we’re all able to slow down and enjoy the small celebrations of Christmas and remember that the real reason for this season is a little boy who was born the Savior of our world.
There are several different ways to keep the focus of Christmas on Jesus. In our home, we like to keep track of the Christmas countdown on an Advent Calendar. This can be as simple as marking off the days on a calendar, or as extravagant as doing one good deed for a stranger each day of Advent, leading up to Christmas. Whatever you decide to choose as your practice of keeping your sight on Jesus – I pray that it helps to bring you closer to Him each and every day.
Taylor Easttom, Downtown Campus Director of Children’s Ministry
