It happens to some degree every Christmas. You may have the same struggle. Every year before Christmas I contemplate the glory of the season and vow that THIS year will be less hustle and bustle and more spiritually focused. THIS year I won’t be so busy with the preparations of cooking and cleaning and wrapping gifts. Although I have come a long way, I must admit that there is always some hustle and bustle to our Christmas every year.
Is that displeasing to God? Have we taken the focus of Christmas off the Christ child and put it on shopping and preparing for gatherings? Let me ask you this: When you read Luke 10:38-42, do you relate more to Martha or Mary? I must admit I understand Martha’s frustration that she was doing all the work while her sister sat and enjoyed the company of their special guest.
But Jesus said, “Mary has chosen what is better.” I have to remember that Jesus chastised Martha instead of Mary. Martha wasn’t wrong in making preparations, but she had her priorities out of order. Jesus is always the better. I pray amid the hustle and bustle that we always make Jesus the focus of our Christmas celebrations.
How do we do that? Jesus gave a hint in his reprimand to Martha. I must confess, I used to feel that Jesus was kind of hard on Martha. I mean, after all, shouldn’t Mary have been helping? But maybe… just maybe…Martha was trying to overdo it. Maybe…Bobbie…I mean Martha…was trying to fix eight casseroles when three would have been sufficient. Jesus’ reprimand wasn’t that she was preparing things. It was that it captured all of her attention instead of just some of it. What exactly did Jesus say?
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Maybe Jesus’ reminder that few things are needed means to trim some of those preparations. Maybe he was saying she could have prepared a few simple things to eat instead of an elaborate meal so she could have time to enjoy His company. How does this relate to our Christmas preparations?
Instead of putting up five Christmas trees, maybe one is enough. Instead of decking out the yard in Christmas Vacation style lights, what about a few simple lights? Instead of slaving in the kitchen and missing that time with family, what about a simpler meal or having everyone sign up to bring something or even having a meal catered? “Few things are needed” so we can enjoy the One who is the focus and enjoy the gift of family and friends that He has given us.
Christmas is still chaos at my house. But it’s a bit more relaxed chaos now. I’m enjoying the gift of family and the sweet blessings of grand babies. And I’m remembering the One who is our greatest gift. I have chosen what is better. And when I look at my Christmas chaos, I remember that on that long ago night of His special birth, Mary and Joseph had some chaos, too. My chaos looks pretty minimal compared to being in labor while riding on a donkey.