It's not too late. Christmas will be here in a few days and it's a good time to sit back and think about where my heart is. Here's a list of reflections from my own life for knowing when Christmas is out of whack:
1. When I think more about the how-when-where-what of celebrating and activities than I think about Jesus and His love for me.
2. When I am irresponsible with my resources—I am at the end of my money, my energy, my time, my patience, my ability to cope with life.
3. When I become consumed with how I appear to others (Did I get the cards out on time? Do I have a new dress for Sunday? Will the neighbors “die for” my goodie plate?).
4. When I mistreat those closest to me in an effort to impress others.
5. When my schedule is too full to tend to daily, regular obligations.
6. When I don’t see or have time for those who are hurting.
7. When I am regularly disappointed at others’ lack of gratitude for my efforts.
8. When I am no longer troubled by the world’s focus on more, bigger, better, mine, can’t-touch-this.
9. When I have failed to consider the real cost of Christmas.
10. When worship is no longer "Jesus;" it’s "Jesus and…."
1. When I think more about the how-when-where-what of celebrating and activities than I think about Jesus and His love for me.
2. When I am irresponsible with my resources—I am at the end of my money, my energy, my time, my patience, my ability to cope with life.
3. When I become consumed with how I appear to others (Did I get the cards out on time? Do I have a new dress for Sunday? Will the neighbors “die for” my goodie plate?).
4. When I mistreat those closest to me in an effort to impress others.
5. When my schedule is too full to tend to daily, regular obligations.
7. When I am regularly disappointed at others’ lack of gratitude for my efforts.
8. When I am no longer troubled by the world’s focus on more, bigger, better, mine, can’t-touch-this.
9. When I have failed to consider the real cost of Christmas.
10. When worship is no longer "Jesus;" it’s "Jesus and…."
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:9-17, 20-21
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