I Wish You a “Mary” Christmas!
I know, it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet! But in just a few days many people will begin to decorate for Christmas and I want to take a moment to reflect on how we might proceed into the Advent season.
You might think the title above refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus. And while, to paraphrase Luke 1:46-47, we want our souls to magnify the Lord and our spirit to rejoice in God our Savior, she is not the Mary that is on my mind right now.
More Mary Less Martha
I’ve been reflecting on Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary’s culture set the expectation that she should focus her attention on things like food preparation, house cleaning, and customary hostess duties. However, she had her heart and mind set on soaking in the words and presence of Jesus. That didn’t sit well with her sister who was doing the culturally expected thing.
“But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to [Jesus] and said, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.'” (Luke 10:40)
Simplify and Refocus Traditions as Necessary
I encourage you to simplify this year. The world will keep spinning if you don’t hang that string of lights or go all out in decorating your house. Fight the urge to measure up to the ridiculous Pinterest-perfect standards that don’t have a dog gone thing to do with Jesus.
A simple potluck meal where everyone pitches in can provide the same amount of pleasure and hospitality as an extravagant dinner party; maybe more if it allows the host and hostess to focus more on what is truly important.
Going into debt to get everyone in the extended family a gift is not what Christmas is about. For goodness sake, draw names and do away with the foolishness of lavishing stuff on people who already have too much stuff already. Better yet, start a new tradition of giving each other gifts that make better the lives of those who truly need the basics. Consider options like Samaritan’s Purse which let’s you give someone on your list the gift of providing material and spiritual presents to people in true need.
Men, Women, and Children Can All Be “Marthas”
It is not just women who fall into the cultural traps this time of year. Kids whose toy boxes are overflowing, start circling everything in the Toys-R-Us Catalog. Men can be Martha’s, too. Anyone can lose focus and become distracted by things that don’t really matter.
Now I’m not saying be a Grinch or Scrooge. I love the holidays and we have many traditions that really are wonderful. I’m just saying that it is wise to not be a slave to other’s expectations (or our own) when those send us careening down an over-scheduled, over-spending, over-whelmed path. Every year I find myself ditching a couple more things from my to do list because I realize they are distractions that really don’t add anything meaningful. And they really don’t have diddly to do with worshiping Christ.
Have Yourself a “Mary” Little Christmas
Regardless of whether you are a man or woman, I am wishing you a “Mary” Christmas. My prayer for you is that you don’t get distracted by the things our culture says are expected of you. Don’t let the tinsel, shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping, decorating, etc. distract you from the reason for the season.
I pray that all through Advent you are intentional about taking your place at the manger and soaking up His presence. He is Immanuel, God with us. I pray we will be like Mary and be with Him. So have yourself a “Mary” little Christmas!
[reminder]What do you think? Do you ever feel like Martha during the holidays? What things help you to focus on the best part and not become worried and troubled about many things that are mere distractions?[/reminder]
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