Slow It Down

SLOW IT DOWN
By Stoney M. Setzer

Here we go again. The merry-go-round on rocket fuel that is the Christmas season is spinning at top speed.
If you’re anything like me, your schedule is full to the gills. Last Saturday, my dad and stepmom had their Christmas celebration, which wound up being an all-day event. The weekend before, my church had its Christmas presentation, and as the director I was enmeshed with it. Next weekend my stepmom’s family has their annual get-together, and of course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are booked solid. As for this week, don’t even get me started on the last week of school before Christmas in a middle school!
Am I complaining? No; I love spending time with the family, and I enjoy directing the Christmas play—stress and all—every bit as much as I enjoy my writing. All of those are definitely good things (well, with the exception of the middle school students’ behavior, of course).
My point is this: With all of the good stuff that goes with Christmas, it is very easy to forget the best part of Christmas. We can get so distracted with parties, plays, and events that we can easily lose sight of the true cause for celebration, the birth of our Savior. And if the good stuff can distract us, then you can imagine what the negative aspects (expenses, last-minute shopping, etc.) can do to our frame of mind.
How do we address this problem of distraction? Slow down for a minute this Christmas season. Either as an individual or with your family (or both), carve out some time to spend in worship and praise of our Lord. We have already received the ultimate Christmas gift. Make sure you find time to probably express your love and appreciation to the Giver.