I'm coming off of a late night/early morning. I was up too late making cookies to give out as Christmas presents and up way too early to get things done before work. Needless to say, I'm a bit tired.
The holidays can be stressful. We've already established that. As you make your third shopping trip to find that perfect gift for your dad, make an emergency run to the store because you ran out of butter for the cookies, or chase the cat off the tree once again (Is that one just me?) and Christmas looms ever closer, don't forget to take some time for yourself. Just breathe. And give yourself grace.
Things don't have to be perfect. And you've missed the point of the holidays if you've been so busy with the cooking and cleaning and shopping that you've forgotten to take the time to enjoy it.
Remember the story of Mary and Martha that we find in Luke 10.
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'
“'Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “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.'”
Christmas is about Jesus. It's a time for friends and family. Don't let this season pass you by without reflecting on the wonder of the gift God has bestowed upon us. Don't get so caught up in the stuff that you forget to just enjoy this time.