Friday, December 12, 2014

Prepare Yourself

Last night, instead of preparing breakfast the evening before (Tom had requested hard-boiled eggs), I put it off. When I woke this morning, I had a congested head, an inbox full of emails and my phone ringing off the hook. I didn't want to make the dumb eggs. I would've much preferred to throw some cereal on the table and call it breakfast.

It's pretty obvious that preparing for things we know are coming is the best way to avoid last-minute stress. The Christmas season is here, and I'm seeing a lot of "I'm so sick of wrapping gifts" or "I have no time to bake cookies and attend church programs and clean the house for our upcoming Christmas party". By the time that you hand out the gifts and cookies, go to the church program or hold that holiday party, you almost resent it. Because it snuck up on you, you were rushed and you feel guilty for being behind schedule.

If only you had prepared, right?

This Christmas, take time to prepare for the birthday of Christ. It's much easier to set a baking schedule to be 'done on time', but do you really want this important holiday to approach, with more time spent on baking than getting yourself into a reflective state of mind?

If you call yourself Christian, attempt to prepare you heart for this holiday. Christmas might have connotations of cookies, dinner parties and gifts- but it really is about the greatest gift of all- payment for our sins.


So tell me...
Have you found yourself playing 'catch up' with the season yet?
Do you have a way you prepare yourself for what this holiday is really about?

Share in the comments below!

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10 comments:

  1. Yes, it's all about preparing our hearts. Sometimes even baking helps the process, though! Thank you. Visiting via FMF from www.flowingfaith.com. BLESSINGS!

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    1. I would agree with baking, I personally find it relaxing. But, everything else, the hustle and bustle, I need to space out in order to not get overwhelmed with the little things :)

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  2. As I looked at the calendar this morning, it occurred to me that there is less pressure in the next week and a half than there has been in the past two weeks, so I'm really happy about that. My husband and I both sing in choir at our church. It really helps to keep us grounded in this time of year...caroling to shut ins, singing Christmas music with the bells and the children.

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    1. Same here, and isn't it nice to have a break to enjoy it. Time to relax, sip some tea, read, pray and visit with family in a way that isn't hurried :) And, I agree. Big soft spot in my heart for the classic Christmas songs/hymns.

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  3. Great message, Farin! I get so caught up in all the stuff I think I have to do, I forget to focus on the true reason for the season!

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  4. Beautiful thoughts...so far, I have kept up with everything. Last Christmas, I really packed it in. I decided that I need to slow way down this year and really focus on what mattered. Seriously, we were pushing three Advent books last year and it was too much. By the end we were all dreading the readings and that is not at all the point, ha ha! Thanks for helping us keep our focus in the right place with your timely post!

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    1. I don't have any books (outside Bible readings) but I still feel overwhelmed. Mostly with getting places. Thanks for stopping in :)

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  5. Thanks Farin, I do find myself playing catch up sometimes. I feel the pressure a little, but with Jesus our burden is light right? Thank you for bringing to light truth and for encouraging me to let go! Much love and thanks for joining the link up!

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    1. My pastor said something so on-point Sunday. Our biggest problem is solved (as long as we've repented). If you have, there's a peace in knowing that everything else, in the grand scheme- does not matter.

      Makes stress with jobs, holidays and everything else seem so unimportant. Glad to be linking up!

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