Dear Friends,
I want to introduce my friend, Lisa Appelo, as our guest contributor today. She is a beautiful woman of God whom I met through social media about a year ago. In September we had the privilege of attending a retreat in Oklahoma where we met face-to-face. What a blessing she is and her message will bless you too. As a bonus, we will give away a copy of her book, ‘Countdown to Christmas’ on Tuesday, December 12 at 9:00 pm CST. Post in the COMMENTS below for a chance to win.
BY LISA APPELO
“Mom, shouldn’t you have bought that present by now?”
I looked at my college boy, stopped hard and swallowed down all manner of responses as the days that had been our December played like a reel through my thoughts.
It was December 24th. What should have been the eve of a sacred day celebrating the birth of Jesus.
But celebrating the sacred was nowhere to be seen right then as I was scrambling to finish THE LIST.
You know — all the things that must be done to have Christmas. The kind of Christmas that will light up your children’s eyes. The kind of Christmas that will create the warmest, most beautiful family memories for years to come.
That December, one of my sons had asked for a shotgun. Not a problem, unless you’re a suddenly single mom of seven. My husband had passed away and he was the one who knew everything about guns.
But I was determined to create a wonderful Christmas. I researched and shopped and right when I thought I knew the difference between a pump-action and single-shot, that son mentioned he’d rather have a fishing pole. I knew nothing about fishing poles.
That was the December 24th tailspin my oldest son found me in when I asked him to please pick out a fishing pole for his brother.
Focusing on THE LIST might give us the kind of Christmas we want, but so often at the expense of what we need.
Even we type-B folks can be good all year until December hits. December sweeps in its own bossy list of children’s plays and school concerts, parties to attend and presents to buy.
Unless we are intentional, all the shopping, decorating, wrapping and attending can fill up our calendar but leave our soul empty.
It’s curious that a season promising Peace on earth promotes such furious activity which brings so little peace.
This struggle isn’t new. Ages ago, two women had their own lists of must-do’s for a sacred celebration.
One sister worked furiously in the kitchen. because she loved her guest and she wanted to make the most wonderful meal they would remember for years to come.
The other sister listened lavishly, away from the kitchen, because she loved her guest and she wanted to remember Him and His words for years to come.
Don’t you care? Martha had asked. Won’t you make Mary come help me with this pressing list of things to do, Lord?
“And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” {Luke 10:41-42 NIV}
Mary chose Jesus over her list. And despite everything that needed to get done to serve the meal, Jesus pronounced it best.
Jesus was born on earth to bring us peace. His shalom.
And while we often think of peace as the absence of strife or conflict, God’s shalom is so much more.
Shalom is full restoration to the relationship we were originally meant to have with God, before it was broken by sin.
Peace isn’t a feeling. It’s not the state of our homes when lights are hung and presents are beautifully wrapped under the tree. It’s not the state of our hearts when we’ve checked everything off the list.
Peace is a person.
And the only way to have Peace this Christmas is to have Jesus first in our homes and in our hearts.
A Mary Christmas comes when we choose to fill up on Jesus before we fill up our calendar.
I always wonder what Martha chose to do next after Jesus’ words?
Did she harrumph in her heart at Mary’s greedy and extravagant waste of time? Did she turn back to the kitchen, stirring pots and silently nursing a wounded heart?
Or did she understand in a whole new way the Peace available to her?
Did she lay down her ladle, curl her feet under her and lavishly listen because she loved her guest and wanted to remember Him and His words for years to come?
We have a choice this Christmas. Jesus woos each of us to come to Him. To celebrate His sacred birth not with a heavy must-do list but with the fullness of Peace as we focus on Him this season.
When we choose Shalom in our home and hearts, He can never be taken from us.
Lisa
Lisa Appelo is an author and speaker, a widow and single mom to seven who loves to share the faithfulness of God. Her new book, Countdown to Christmas, is a 15-day family advent devotional that brings the real Christmas story to light in a new way with scripture and your Nativity. You can find more about the book here.
Follow Lisa on Facebook and at lisaappelo.com
This is just beautiful, Lisa. It’s only been a short two years ago that I realized how much peace and joy I was missing by trying to ‘do it all’ over the holidays. I scaled back considerably, and it has made all the difference. Your book is a wonderful way for families to make time each day to focus on our Savior. Merry Christmas to you both, Lisa and Mitzi! I am blessed to call you both my friends:)
Great article!!
This looks like a really good book and thank you for giving us a chance to win
I have a “first five “ commitment….. no social media or texts or any “checking in” each morning until I have my quiet time and devotion. Now at Christmas I have this special time beside the Christmas tree
Thank you Lisa for sharing. Beautiful message and so timely.
So easy to get caught up being Martha anytime of the year, but particularly during the Christmas season.
Thank you for the reminder to be Mary.
What a beautiful post. I’d love to win this and begin sharing with my grandson’s what Jesus is really about.
Beautifully spoken and so in tune with touching today’s world with the Word of God…
I love the story! We all fall short putting Jesus first. At least I know I do! But when December is here and it gets close to Christmas it is always a wonderful reminder of the real reason we celebrate, no matter how busy we get! I am so thankful I have a God that loves the imperfect person I am!
May we all be blessed with a Mary Christmas this year! Thanks for sharing!
This is sooo me on so many levels!
Lisa,
Thank you for this beautiful reminder to not let our lists get in the way of absorbing Jesus’ shalom this Christmas. I especially resonated with this statement: “Focusing on THE LIST might give us the kind of Christmas we want, but so often at the expense of what we need.” — Thank you!! Blessings to you and your family for a peaceful Christmas!
Thank you for this reminder!
Wonderful!!! What an important message.
Thank you.
Beautiful Story, Love this!
Such a great reminder to slow down and embrace the Savior this season!
Thank you. It’s good to know that everyone struggles with this. I always enjoy your writing and am encouraged.
This is beautiful! Such a great reminder to slow down and absorb His peace this Christmas season! I pray you and your family have a blessed, peace filled, and a very Merry Christmas!
The book looks absolutely beautiful as well!
I love this. After this year, well actually the past few, I need a little peace (and joy) this Christmas!
Blessings!
♡
Thank you, Lisa!
So well said. Thank you for sharing. I like “Peace is a person.
And the only way to have Peace this Christmas is to have Jesus first in our homes and in our hearts.”
This was perfect for me. Witha broken foot I am slowed to a “sit still” & I have enjoyed my time with Jesus. A friend had just commented on my FB page that I’m having a “Mary Christmas” not a “Martha Christmas”, then I saw this. THANKS for the reinforcement!!! Bless you ‼️
Shalom Lisa and Mitzi. I’m finding a whole lot of peace this Christmas, but still doing all I always do, but I am focusing on Advent and reading two books on it.
It’s so good to hear that Debbie. Would you share the titles of your books? Thank you so much and Merry Christmas.
Wonderful family devotional!