Making Time for Jesus When Life Has You Surrounded
It’s funny. I thought once we got home for Christmas, things would settle down a bit, and I’d have plenty of time to write. As you can see, that’s not exactly how things have gone. We’ve been home for a week and busier than ever. There’s so much to do and so many people to see before we leave out again next Monday. And, of course, as is typically the case when I get too tired and stressed, my back decided to give me a fit for several days, which left me out of commission to do much more than lie in bed and moan about not getting things done. (Can you say, “Bah Humbug”?)
Anyway, I said all of that to let you know how sorry I am that it’s been so long since my last blog post. I’ll try to do better in the future. I promise! Consider it an early New Year’s resolution.
For now, I’d like to share with you a thought that hit me last week (at least, I think it was last week) while visiting another church. The sanctuary was decorated beautifully for Christmas, and the holiday spirit was in the air. But as I sat through the service, my eyes were drawn to the nativity scene on the front table. It was beautiful, but something about it didn’t sit right with me. At first, I thought it might have been the presence (not “presents”) of the wise men since, according to Scripture, they didn’t arrive until Jesus was a young child. But most nativities have wise men, and that generally doesn’t bother me as I understand it’s still part of the Christmas story.
Finally, I realized what was striking me as odd. The wise men and shepherds were arranged so that they surrounded the stable, which is fine except that they blocked Jesus from view. It makes sense that all who were present on that marvelous night would have encompassed the scene before them—Mary, Joseph, and the precious baby Jesus. But as a display, it didn’t sit right with me that the One the season is all about—while adored by the shepherds and wise men—was blocked from the view of onlookers. Try as I might, I couldn’t see Jesus. Not one single angle allowed me a glimpse of the Savior. All I could see was the back side of wise men and shepherds and a stray animal off to either side.
Obviously, this was not the intention of the person who set up the nativity, and please understand, I am not trying to be critical. In fact, God used this to remind me of an important truth. Sometimes our lives can be surrounded by so many things—both good and bad—, we lose sight of the Savior. We get so busy with family, friends, jobs, church, hobbies, chores, and so many other things, we inadvertently block out the One life is all about. We don’t mean to. It’s not done out of disrespect or ill will. We just get distracted by all the stuff of life and fail to keep things in their proper place. I know I do.
It’s Christmas week. I’m sure most of us have plans with family, presents to open, way too much junk food to eat, and a lot of fun on the menu. And that’s great. It really is! God wants us to enjoy our blessings. But, let’s not get so sidetracked with wrapping paper, recipes, and reindeer that we forget what Christmas is all about. Let’s take time to read the Christmas story in Luke 2. Let’s meditate on the greatest Gift ever given. Let’s thank God for another year (even if it was 2020) and for the many blessings He’s given us. In short, let’s allow our surroundings to point us to Jesus, not distract us from Him. After all, it’s His birthday. Shouldn’t it all be about Him?
But let’s not stop there. Jesus is the Gift that keeps on giving, from Christmas and into the New Year. Let’s make every day about Him. Let’s focus our attention on Him—who He is and what He’s done. Let’s spend each day looking unto Jesus, our Savior and Lord. He’s worth it! Besides, who wants to stare at the back side of wise men and shepherds?
Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior.
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;”