The other day I was
sitting at home alone. I had just finished up working on a PowerPoint for my K5
class and was sitting on the couch sipping coffee and watching a Christmas
movie.
At first I was just sipping it slowly and then I thought about all of the other things I had to get done that day. I began to drink my coffee faster. Then a thought occurred to me: why was I drinking my coffee so fast all of the sudden?
I have been watching Christmas movies where people either don't care enough about family and the simple pleasures in life, or where people care too much about those things. And, I have also been reading books about slowing down and enjoying the simple things; because if we don't enjoy the simple things how can we truly enjoy the major things?
During Christmas time we have a tendency to rush, rush, rush. We need to get the presents. We need to decorate our house. We need to get things done for our job. We need to cook the meal for family. We begin to feel overwhelmed and forget that Christmas is also a time to slow down and think.
Way back when the first Christmas came to pass Joseph and Mary needed to get to Bethlehem. There was no room at the Inn so they had to stay in a simple stable. Then when Jesus was born he was laid in a simple manger. These were not extravagant things, but they became important items in Jesus' life.
At first I was just sipping it slowly and then I thought about all of the other things I had to get done that day. I began to drink my coffee faster. Then a thought occurred to me: why was I drinking my coffee so fast all of the sudden?
I have been watching Christmas movies where people either don't care enough about family and the simple pleasures in life, or where people care too much about those things. And, I have also been reading books about slowing down and enjoying the simple things; because if we don't enjoy the simple things how can we truly enjoy the major things?
During Christmas time we have a tendency to rush, rush, rush. We need to get the presents. We need to decorate our house. We need to get things done for our job. We need to cook the meal for family. We begin to feel overwhelmed and forget that Christmas is also a time to slow down and think.
Way back when the first Christmas came to pass Joseph and Mary needed to get to Bethlehem. There was no room at the Inn so they had to stay in a simple stable. Then when Jesus was born he was laid in a simple manger. These were not extravagant things, but they became important items in Jesus' life.
Next, it wasn't anyone super important who came to see our
Savior first. It was the people who were considered the lowest of the low,
shepherds. They were told by the angels to go see the baby, Jesus. The
shepherds could've said "we will go as soon as we get this done." Or,
"we don't have time to go see a baby because we have to watch our
sheep." They didn't do that though. They got up and went to see the baby. They realized something we don't nowadays. That the simple pleasures bring major joy. They went to see a baby that wasn't extraordinary on the outside, but was extraordinary on the inside. They went to a simple stable and saw a baby laying in a manger. An odd way for a baby to come into the world, yes; but, nothing was really extraordinary about any of the simple items or people in this story. However, now those people and items are so special and remind us about how Jesus came to the world as one of us. His story wouldn't be complete without these things and people.
This Christmas I encourage you to slow down and enjoy the simple things that happen this season. We have a tendency to look forward to the major events but not the little events that led up to those events. Yet, if you ask people what are their fondest memories they tend to say little events. Take a lesson from the shepherds and choose to push work off to the side for a little so you can enjoy big events with your family.
So, will you choose to slow down and enjoy the simple things? Will you reflect on how simple events/things can become extraordinary?
Romans 8:25, Philippians
4:6, Luke 2
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