Advent this year begins November 30th and brings with it a host of expectations and opportunities to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ. It is a time at church where we light candles, pray and reflect as we wait for the Christ child to come to us. We don’t over spend, over eat or over do. We rest and peaceably wait for Christ to come….Right!
More correct would be to say we wait for Christ to come but in the mean while we fill our waiting time with such things as parties, shopping, wrapping, cooking, baking, eating, decorating, and card writing…and a few other hundred items we try and slip in. Why do we do so much? Why can’t we just wait?
I believe that waiting is something that is difficult for most of us. I know I feel the need to keep my time filled with busyness and keep the objects moving. That is until our youngest son Jeremiah was born. Then things began to change for me, primarily my time, money and objects had to be redirected, toward the things that matter most – God, family and neighbor.
This Christmas season is fast approaching us and I am sure that you are already beginning to feel the pressure to adopt a few hundred items to your list. I thought I would give you some tips from our youngest son Jeremiah on how to make the holidays something you desire instead of what society pushes on you. Here are some things that Jeremiah has taught me.
Jeremiah’s top ten ways to celebrate Christmas (or life in general):
1) Pray and sing before eating dinner. We sing, we clap we pray. This brings joy to your meal.
2) Enjoy your meal well and slowly. Eat each bite slowly chewing and saying how wonderful the food is. Appreciate each bite and let the cook know how this meal is the most fabulous meal you’ve ever had. Use such sounds as MMMMMM…
3) Eat desert sparingly. This should only be done after a very appreciative meal and you should just have a few bites.
4) Enjoy a funny show at least once a day. This could be a short 15 minute cartoon or a funny movie. Laugh out loud and join in with the fun in the show. You’ll feel better!
5) Enjoy all your mail thoroughly looking over each piece carefully. You have a place to live, you have mail, how fun!
6) Take at least one bath a day. Sometimes you may need two. This is okay, take your time, soak slowly and sing.
7) Music should be listened to daily. If you can take any musical instrument and play it loudly. It doesn’t matter if you are any good. Play for God and have fun.
8) Post your prayers above your bed. This way you can review them in the morning and in the evening, and pray often.
9) Feed your pets well. Take time to drop some food from your table, and throughout the day to give them a special treat.
10) Finally take time to listen to God every day. This can be done many ways, by going to church, sitting in the sun, taking the time to hold your hands carefully in front of you and feeling God’s peace.
I hope you enjoyed Jeremiah’s top ten list. This is just a few of the many ways we celebrate life and Advent at our home. We hope you will make room for the Christ child in your life this season.
Peace,
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