Last Tip...

We made it all the way to the end folks. Today's tip for having a more meaningful Christmas comes from Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God". Just be still and take the time to be with Him. Take time to know Him.

Slight detour. Did you happen to catch this Time article on the Advent Conspiracy? It is an interesting read.

Christmas is an interesting time and provides an interesting opportunity. As frustrating as all the commercial hype is, Christmas is still a time where hearts are open. People who may not normally be receptive to the Gospel may be more willing to have a conversation. Going to church on Christmas seems more likely than other times. In between the many secular Christmas/holiday songs on the radio, you will hear one clearly about Christ. Articles and movies on TV briefly highlight the spiritual unlike other times of the year. Yes, it seems that secularism and consumerism is taking over CHRISTmas, but it also seems we have a greater opportunity to share Christ with others this time of year. Even if they don't celebrate it, in some way they know that Christmas is supposed to be about more than gifts. What will you do this season to make Christ known?

Usually when I see that verse from Psalm 46 somewhere, it is just as I wrote it above. But there is an all important second half..."I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." In the end, no campaign can take away Christ, at least not fully. God will be exalted. You and I are part of God's plan to reach to the ends of the earth. We need to exalt Him. This season, let the light of Christ shine bright. Invite someone to church with you on Thursday night.

Sharing God's love with another will give your Christmas meaning beyond measure.

Tip #11...Knock it Off!!

Do you ever find yourself saying that to your kids?? "Knock it off"? I do. It is my way of telling them to quit the foolishness! Are you caught up in foolishness? Running around like a chicken with your head cut off, wondering how you will possibly get it all done? If you are, I have 2 things to say to you. One...go back and start at the beginning with these meaningful Christmas tips I have been posting. Second...knock it off! Literally. Knock things off your list. Stop the foolishness. I promise the earth won't stop turning, the kids will live, it will ALL be okay.

Kaleb asked me the other day what it meant when people say "what they don't know won't hurt them". We talked about several different examples but it got me thinking about some of the foolishness I get caught up in. No one but me will know I planned to fix 12 different kinds of cookies this year but only had time for 3. They won't know I wanted to get the living room painted but couldn't squeeze it in. Take an honest look at your list. What is essential and what isn't? Give yourself permission to knock some things off the list. Take a deep breath and move on.

I took a few days off from posting because I am working on all these things myself. Taking up time on the computer was one of things I had to "knock off" the last few days. Instead we invited someone over for dinner. We baked some cookies. We spent time together as a family. Yesterday we let a woman cut us in line at Walmart. {{gasp}} Little things, yet big in so many ways. Greg will tell you that I reach a certain point and then my stress spills over. It affects everyone because I snap at people and get agitated at the smallest things. It can get ugly. My goal this year is to never reach that point. The Lord is my helper...and yours!