It’s now or never to get ready for Christmas. The Friday afternoon usual commuter traffic and accidents will start in an hour and a half. Add to that, Christmas shoppers, the unexpected bridge closings, and shorter daylight hours. So I prayed, “God, please multiply my time, protect me, and help me get to the mall and home before dusk.”
It’s now or never to get ready for Christmas, but my list seems to get longer daily. Can you relate to that?
First, it’s now or never to get ready for Christmas physically.
I had to clean house. I couldn’t imagine putting up my Christmas tree, decorations, and wreath until after dusting the ceiling fans, the furniture, and the floor. What would people think? I giggled as I thought of a friend who suggested I only invite people after dark and dim the lights.
What about fresh air and the aroma of Christmas cookies baking in the oven? I laughed. I couldn’t remember how many years passed since my last cookie baking experience. Anyway, who would eat those sweets? Most of my friends preferred not to be tempted, and my dentist would want me to floss my teeth and use a mouth rinse to avoid plaque and cavities after eating.
With recent limitations, I’m learning that Christmas is not a white glove inspection but a time to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. Will physical readiness drive you to perfectionism or realistic expectations?
Second, it’s now or never to get ready for Christmas emotionally.
As a recently retired counselor, I remember discussions with my clients about how to cope with positive and negative emotions, to be aware of their thoughts and feelings, and how to connect with family and friends at Christmas rather than avoid them. Family could be church members or support group friends not only blood relatives.
Memories also came to mind of women in my Bible classes and mentees in my coaching sessions. We talked about optimism versus negativism. We had to see ourselves as having life and purpose. If we saw ourselves as hopeful, we wouldn’t sink into helplessness or hopelessness. We also chatted about how sufficient sleep affected our emotional readiness.
Before it’s too late, take time to assess your readiness for Christmas emotionally. You don’t have to be among those who doze at the wheel, cause an accident, and injure or kill themselves or others because of a lack of emotional readiness.
Last and most important, it’s time to get ready spiritually.
It’s time to get ready for Christmas spiritually because it’s a matter of life or death. You choose blessings or eternal punishment. Do you have a personal relationship with God through faith in his Son Jesus Christ? If you do, you will make time for prayer and Bible study on a consistent basis. Maybe you’ll pray and read your Bible in the morning and other times in the afternoon or evening. You may also choose to sing praise and worship songs and review Bible verses throughout the day.
Health issues, loss, or tragedy enter the lives of all human beings even during the holiday season. I remember when my father faced his impending death with fear and tears. He no longer argued that he was a good person because he didn’t drink, smoke, or gamble. He didn’t remind me that he never killed anybody but did lots of free labor both for the church and the community. His stress level remained high until he understood that faith in God through Jesus Christ not his works would guarantee his entrance into heaven. He believed God’s Word that God forgave him for all his sins, and he [my dad] would reunite with loved ones who had also done so. Two months later, Daddy died with a peaceful appearance.
How will you die?
Prayer: God, I look forward to going from this world straight into heaven because of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for all my sins: past, present, and future. While I’m still on earth, please fill me with the desire to pray for others to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Amen.
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Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega December 7, 2023
This was a refreshing article. Merry Christmas.
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3
Dear Selina McLaughlin, thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. Yes, the Lord has done great things for us. Psalm 126:3 is among my many favorites on this topic. Merry Christmas.
Thank you for sharing and your call to prepare ourselves for Christ today and every day. Many blessings this Christmas!
April Williams, thank you so much for stopping by. Yes, it is important to prepare ourselves for Christ today and every day. Many blessings to you and your family too.
Thanks for the reminder. I struggle to stay focused on the real meaning amidst all the noise of commercialism. Hope you have a great holiday!
Bob, you’re welcome. I agree with you about the struggle to stay focused on the real meaning amidst all the noise of commercialism. I hope you and your loved ones also have a great holiday.
It’s a coincidence that this article just popped up on my phone as I was scrolling through some things and here it turns out this last comment I read was on December 18th 2023 and you know that was my husband’s birthday. He died September 7th of 2017. So my Christmases have been very lonely cuz they always used to be birthday parties for my husband cuz he didn’t have much as a child cuz there was 10 kids and he got what he needed instead of a toy to play with, got Saxon underwear most of the time. So I’m saying to you this article has opened my eyes to some things in my life that I need to do. I don’t know if he sent this to me trying to prepare me for what’s to come but I’m going to get ready for Christ and Christmas
Elissa,
Thank you for stopping by. I’m so sorry about the loss of your husband. I pray God will comfort you every moment of every day and fill in the gap for you. I’m thrilled you’re going to get ready for Christ and Christmas. My prayer is that you will be richly blessed in doing so.Continue to follow my blog as I write about the various aspects of loss. The book I’m working on right now is entitled REST AFTER LOSS: 11 Growth Steps. Have a great week with the Lord.