Tis' the season

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:1-3 NRSV)




Yep. It's already ramping up. Stores and advertisements and obligations heading for overload.

But are we rejoicing, being glad and singing over the birth of a savior? Our Savior?

Or are we already grumbling about the cost of gifts, the traffic, the crowds, the pressures, the rushing, the expectations, the weather, the cooking and cleaning - oh, my!

I'm afraid my thoughts were headed that way. I'm baking cookies today for the church bazaar. And my first thoughts were fear of caving in and ruining my diet and weight loss plans. And hurrying up to finish craft items. And worrying about travel plans during the Christmas rush. Certainly doesn't sound like "Joy to the World" to me. You?

When maybe I should be rejoicing that I CAN bake and decorate yummy baked goods and handmade items. I CAN offer them to those unable to - because of work schedules or physical limitations. And I CAN rejoice in the Lord. Any day! Every day!

I don't want to lose my joy in the Lord over these worldly pressures. Too often I have caught myself too late - sitting in the Christmas eve service wondering how it got here so soon.

I want to stand firm in the peace He offers. I want to live in love of Him. I want that love and joy and peace to overflow into others lives.

Tis' the season, to stand at the stable - and to BE stable - firm and sure - in the salvation we have in this Jesus ... the Christ ... our Lord.

Do this in remembrance of Me.

Thanks be to God!