Once upon a time, a long LONG time ago – my daughters gave me the nickname of “Feaster Mary”.
Oh, the tales that Feaster Mary could tell! The wild antics of Father Christmas, the Easter bunny, the Tooth Fairy and of course, Mom. Tales of a tooth fairy that pays a child yet leaves your tooth – apparently that happens when her bag is too heavy and the fairy returns the next night with an empty bag to collect the tooth for which payment has already been made. Tales of Father Christmas leaving not only snowy footprints, but a trail of gold dust magic when dropping presents under the tree.
My grown daughters will tell you that on one such Christmas – Father Christmas not only left gold magic on the presents, but also on the cream coloured puffy-cushioned sofa and across the side of the Christmas tree – apparently this brand of magic was not washable, but permanent! Mum seemed surprised by this – but then again, she had been up very late after celebrating Christmas Eve with a few friends. 😊
Yes, you may have guessed it, I used to be a complete Christmas Junkie. Every archway in my house bore holly, every window was snow-stencilled, “real” Christmas trees had to touch the ceiling, and the electricity bill rose when the Christmas lights went on. Christmas Day lunch was planned months in advance, and the big “Cook” took place over 2 solid days – and the Christmas table seated many.
Fast forward to present day – kids grew up, tertiary education costs a tidy sum, and times have become tougher. Anxiety and worry now attack Feaster Mary. Her budget is not quite the same and she fears that Christmas will be a disappointment to all. She has grown a little older and less energetic (and has no Hallmark movie hero to rescue her either. 😊)
How many of us become troubled and anxious over our Christmas plans? How many of us worry about what gift to buy? What dish to cook and how to top last year’s décor or holiday plans? We are filled with the wonder of Christmas – not the kind that we should be filled with, but rather wondering how we are going to afford and do it all? Wondering why our life is not as perfect as a Christmas movie.
For those parishioners who attended the beautiful nativity on the Village Green this year – this subject was succinctly captured by the youth. The Nativity brought home just how much the real meaning and celebration of Christmas has been overshadowed by commercially-driven greed and clever marketing plans. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Why then is our focus anywhere but on Jesus?
My Bible study took me recently to the Scripture of Luke 10:38-42.
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Jesus into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
The study asks us “What ONE thing is necessary?”– we could apply this to Christmas – what ONE thing does God expect from us in celebrating Christmas?
It goes on to explain that the good portion refers to how we spend and invest our time – is that in what Jesus promises you will never be taken away from you? Or are you investing your time and life in that which will not have value past your time here?
This Christmas let us remember that only ONE thing is necessary – that is to sit at the feet of Jesus as Mary did. Jesus asks only that we spend time with him.
As the teaching reads “Above providing for my family or serving my church, He wants me to sit at his feet”. Sitting at His feet involves focusing on our relationship with God.
While the traditions and joys of Christmas bring happiness and laughter into our lives, they should never become so consuming that they are cause for anxiety and cause not to focus on Jesus.
This Christmas – don’t become an anxious and troubled Martha – troubled by many activities and things that are unnecessary in God’s eyes (only marketed as necessary by the world of commercialism).
As is stated in 1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you”.
This devotional really had great impact on me as I realized that the only thing that Jesus wants me to do is to sit with him. To have a relationship with me, for me to give Him my heart”. This Christmas – be a Mary, not a Martha.
Yours in the warmth and love of Christ this Christmas,
Vanessa