Back to the Basics of Christmas!

Yesterday on my flight home I began to write in my journal. Feeling inspired and full of thoughts as I finally had time to sit back and reflect on this Christmas season! I had the blessing of sitting in-between two young 18-20 year olds, a young girl who was sweet as can be to my left, and young boy to my right who seemed very intrigued with my writing. I immediately began to pray for the opportunity to share with him the words I was being inspired with. Soon enough he pulls out his ear buds and turns off his Batman movie and turns his head slightly left and says, "you are quite the writer, I think you have already written 7 pages!" I giggled inside, thanking the Lord for this opportunity! I stopped right there in my writing and said, "yeah well my professors never thought so!, but I do enjoy writing out what means the most to me!" He then becomes bold , "so what are you writing about?" and if any of you know me at all, I don't hold back when given an opportunity to share the gospel and what is on my heart so I quickly ask the Lord to give me the right words, and then I began, "well right now I am writing about the real meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ, who came into this world to save us all from our sins and die on the cross and how we as americans have let the real meaning of Christmas get fogged over by gifts, decorations, and santa! BUT I also LOVE blogging about women's self/body image, self-respect, and how the Lord sees  them, as beautiful...even when the world tells them differently! I write these things to encourage women in their faith!" I don't think this young man was quite expecting to hear all of that and the look on his face was priceless and he goes, "that's interesting!" and I go, "I KNOW ISN"T IT!?" He didn't ask any further questions, but I will tell you it was such a blessing! I have been praying that the Lord would help me to see others and engage with those around me instead of being so focused and involved with myself playing on my phone or closing my eyes to listen to my music! We are called to LOVE and pour into others...not ignore them...it's a push out of my comfort zone, but I am learning with the strength and love of Christ! ..NOW I will share with you my journal writings! 

"Before them mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm 90:2 

So I have been running into a writers block lately. That is why i haven't written in a couple days and I am not quite sure what the Lord is asking me to write today! As the holiday season is in full swing I want to try and wind things down as everyone is rushing to get those last minute gifts and rushing to make travel plans. Let's freeze all that the world tells us is important these holiday seasons: gifts, family, travel, decorations! What would Christmas look like to you if all of that was taken away? what if all we were left with was the sole celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ? Malls would be empty, houses would not be lite, and families scattered! Would we still have the same excitement as the day of His birth approached?! It is weird to think of...going back o the basics! 

It is so hard to focus our hearts and minds on the real reason for the season. Our minds are fogged with what to buy, what to cook, tinsel, lights, trees, and Santa. I will be the first to admit that it is so easy to lose sight of Christ in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. I just wanted to take some time to rest and relax at the main reason for this holiday and that is Jesus Christ, the greatest gift anyone could FREELY receive!! 

Sometimes I wonder what it would 've been like to be one of the wisemen, to see baby Jesus, knowing that the little infant I was looking at is the Savior of the World! WOW! It blows my mind! Then it makes me wonder, what gift would I bring?What do you give to the Savior of the World?! Well...I can tell you that this Christmas the perfect gift would be to give Him your heart in Faith...that is the gift He prays and pursues everyday and you have the chance to do that at any moment! There is no need to have to clean yourself up or try and wrap yourself up in pretty "wrapping paper" to cover up what is inside...He wants you just as you are!" Jesus, the Savior of the World came into this world as a helpless little infant, so that He could walk amongst His children and relate to us! He freely chose to humbly live! Furthermore, what truly boggles my mind is that He came into this world for the sole purpose to die for us! OH what courage that is!! Even as a young child to know your purpose is to die for those that hate and despise you! OH what LOVE that is! It is UNFATHOMABLE!! 

I will be honest that I have become so caught up in work and the stress of it all that I began to lose sight on what this season is truly about... it is a vivid reminder of what our focus should be 24/7. He Loves all of us so much we should be able to give Him this time, but we humans still can't accomplish that small task without going back to worrying about gifts! Working in retail the past few years I have seen some of the godliest people, by the worlds standards, become some of the most hateful, impatient Christmas shoppers! It blows my mind that people will get so upset about a silly leather wristlet that costs, $80, but probably is really worth, $5 ( I have also worked in wholesale) that they become the natural sin prone person that they are, and this truly tries my patience and I have to pray that I will treat them with respect and not do what would so naturally come to me! ;/ 

Ok so I think I digressed a little bit and not quite sure where I am going with all of this. I just wanted to take sometime and bring back some perspective to myself and anyone willing to read this! Let's go back to the image of what Christmas would look like without all the pretty lights, decorations, without Santa, or all the gifts! Let's be honest with ourselves, that sounds pretty depressing! That would be our initial thought! I can't be more honest when I say that it is a selfish thought! When did celebrating Christmas become about "us" and our needs?! The fact that a gift less, decoration less, and santa less Christmas depresses us is proof that we can be selfish in our pursuit of holiday cheer! 

Let's change our perspective! Instead of seeing the gifts and decorations as a means of self-gratification, let's turn it around and see all these things as an act of worship and thanks to the One who this season is about! 

When you go to buy your next big gift for that special someone, instead of huffing and puffing because the cashier is taking forever, STOP and be thankful that you can even afford such a gift,  whereas there are starving and neglected children all over the world who would give anything for a hug and an "i love you"! 

When you go to put the lights on your house, instead of nagging at your husband or children to help, STOP and be thankful that you have a house over your head to decorate, whereas there are thousands of people that will go without a roof over their head this Christmas! 

This is the posture we all should take not only this season, but in everyday life! This kind of thankfulness will then turn into an act of worship to the One who gives all blessings! I am not saying this will be and say feat...we are only human after all! Christ is the reason for giving because He first gave His life to hopefully gain ours when we give HIm the best gift of all....our hearts! Turn the Light on this Christmas and slow down to give thanks for all the blessings He has given you! 

That is all I have for now! My heart is full of love for you all! Have a very Merry Christmas! 

" Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as member of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful! " colossians 3:15