Walk the Walk

Ok, let's face it. It's easy to preach about making Christmas less about crazy spending and crazy living, and more about relational giving and relaxation. But now it's crunch time. It's December 22, and I'm feeling it. I'm feeling like these smaller piles of gifts will induce pangs of inadequacy on Christmas morning. I'm feeling stressed that we might not buy the flavored coffee for Christmas morning (remember, no hazelnut! My father-in-law doesn't like it).

Come, Lord Jesus. It will be fine. My kids understand about the Advent Conspiracy, and they participated themselves, out of their own little savings accounts. My father-in-law would not make a fuss if the coffee was hazelnut.

So, I admit, it's really about me. It's about me feeling inadequate on Christmas. I think we tend to hide behind other people's supposed disappointment, when really it's our own ego on the line. What if . . . there are not "enough" presents (whatever "enough" is)? What if the food isn't amazing? What if the beverages run out?

The sun will not plunge into the earth. The children will recover if they complain about fewer gifts. My father-in-law will suffer through a cup of hazelnut coffee with a smile on his face.

If we focus less on these minor blips, we can focus more on the reality of a Savior.

Come, Lord Jesus.