Christmas PRESSure and CHRIST in All

This time of year most of us run out of time before we run out of things to do.

Christmas looms.

There are presents to buy, cards to write, cookies to bake, parties to attend, and a myraid of other holiday responsibilities that - if we are not careful-  press and press and PRESS on us until so much life has been sucked out of us we feel vacum sealed.

So what's the answer?

JESUS.

Yes, Jesus.

No, Jesus isn't going to iron your little one's ruffles on her Christmas pageant dress.

And no, Jesus isn't going to stand in an endless line at Walmart, or stay up until 3am Christmas Eve wrapping presents.

But I'll tell you what Jesus will do.

Jesus will fill you with a deep abiding spirit of peace as you contemplate what gifts to purchase.

Jesus will transform your vision so you can truly see the souls of the men and women around you as He sees them.

And Jesus will soothe the deepest of  hurts that sometimes arise during the Christmas season from past family experiences that perhaps weren't always ideal.

How do I know this?

Because I know Jesus.

He's a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

Jesus loves you. And Jesus loves me. And His greatest desire for both of us this Christmas season is to start each day by sincerly inviting Him into every nook and cranny of our lives.

If we will do this, Jesus will flood our homes with joy, peace and harmony, because that is one of the many benefits of living every day with Jesus.

Holiday Hangover

The holiday season is almost over. Wow, who can believe it? I'm overstuffed and overwrung with holiday hype. Don't get me wrong, I love my family and our get togethers. As a matter of fact here's a cool picture of my grandkids in the new jammies we bought them.

But after all the hustle and bustle of preparing, and the excited indulgences, I find myself longing for my normal routine. There's comfort in the steadiness of the day to day. I like getting up at 5am and sitting in the softness of the early morning light. I enjoy the craziness of my job in Volunteer Management and look forward to my destress routine at the end of a long day.

So, I for one am ready to shake off my Holiday Hangover and get back to the normalcy of my crazy life.

Funny isn't it? Before Christmas, we can't wait for it to come. And now that's it's over, we collapse on the couch and are glad it's over.