This Sunday is the beginning of the Advent season, when we take time to reflect on the long-awaited coming of the Savior. There are a number of influences that have shaped our religious celebration into the steam train that carries us full speed ahead through the month of December. And yet, sitting here in the quiet of the morning by the light of the Christmas tree, I can’t help but wonder if all the busyness that accompanies our celebration leaves us so weary and full that we end up turning away the very One we’re celebrating; saying in effect, “Sorry, there’s no more room in the inn.”
While it’s clear from the Old Testament that God ordained times of feasting and celebration, these were usually accompanied by days of refraining from work and gathering together to worship. In America, we’ve sampled traditions from other countries like a holiday buffet, filling our plates with the ones we like and blending them into our Christmas traditions until we have so much going on in our lives that we have to skip church to “get it all done,” and can’t fathom a day of rest in December. We add more and more to our already full lives, causing me to wonder, is God really honored by a celebration that makes no room for him?
I hope you’ll join me in saying no to excess during this Advent season, so we can say yes to God. We’ve already cut back on the number of decorations we put up (and are selling a few), we’re limiting our gift-giving, and we’re saying no to some regular activities this month so we can make room for the special holiday activities that are meaningful to us. Instead of having a massive baking day, I plan to make one or two of our holiday favorites each week, freezing most of it to put on holiday gift plates and set out at parties at the end of the month when my baking is completed. This also allows us to enjoy one treat at a time, instead of gorging on plates of goodies all month long. In order to have time to bake, I’ll stick to quick and easy dinner menus this month (like the ones in my low-sugar menu plan for weight loss).
My key to a simple, low-stress holiday can be summed up in one rule: If I’m going to add something to my schedule, I have to (temporarily, at least) take something out. It’s not easy to swim against the tide of commercialism and “tradition,” but it takes a conscious effort to MAKE room for the still, small voice of the Savior.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare him room.
This is what Advent is all about, making room in the “inn” of our hearts for Christ – not crowding him out with a bunch of activities. To encourage you in your own efforts to “prepare him room” this December, I plan to focus upcoming blog posts on ways to simplify our Christmas celebration – including quick and easy gluten free recipes! Planned posts include:
- Spiritual disciplines for Advent (“discipline” is not always a bad thing – these are fun!)
- How we gave Santa the boot and introduced our kids to the joy of giving instead of receiving
- Easy, no bake, gluten free holiday goodies
- Gluten free make-ahead meals to free you from the kitchen while family’s in town
- How we homeschool during the holidays
- 12 gifts from God (to accompany our 12 Days of Christmas celebration)
- Gluten free party food (for the hostess who doesn’t ordinarily cook gluten free)
- Gluten free green bean casserole (no, this is NOT a time-saver recipe, but it has been requested by readers)
- Gluten free holiday breakfast recipes
Let me know if there is a particular topic you’d like to see first. Have a blessed, Christ-centered Christmas!
I’d love to hear more about the spiritual disciplines. We’ve been talking about that topic in Sunday School. Of corse, I’m also interested in the homeschooling topic! Thanks Brenda!
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