“… and she wrapped Him in swaddling cloths…”

I have been so busy this Christmas that I feel like I have hardly stopped to enjoy what it’s really about. I would not say that I have been caught up in the material part of it, but rather the events of it all. My mother-in-law’s surgery, a wedding, a Christmas program at church,my husband’s work party,  my daughter’s school, working a lot more hours than usual, a Special Needs class party, our Sunday school Christmas party and several birthdays all thrown in to make an exceptionally busy time. 

Most Christmas’ aren’t like this for me. I actually try really hard to slow down and appreciate the people I am with and the holiday as a whole. But this year… I have just felt like I have moved from one fire to another and, honestly, it has been overwhelming.

This morning it got to me. I sat down to have my time with the Lord and I just broke down crying. “LORD! This isn’t how you intended it to be!”

I opened His Word and read in John 13:1-6. This is what verses 2-5 say:

“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.”

I don’t know why, but seeing Him wrap that outer garment around Himself and begin to serve His disciples by washing their feet reminded me of His mother, Mary, wrapping Him in swaddling cloths and laying Him in the manger… where He began to serve this world with His life. He had a job to do and a purpose behind it. He always kept the main thing the main thing.

In the midst of the devil trying to get Him off track and Judas betraying Him… Jesus continued to serve, care and press on toward His ultimate goal of being the sacrifice for our sins.

Somehow I have gotten off track this holiday season. I don’t know if you are like me and have felt overwhelmed, but just know that our Lord is still here with us keeping the main thing the main thing. We have to be willing to sit before Him and hear what He has as the priority and allow Him to help us refocus. Sometimes it takes me getting to the point of being overwhelmed before I realize exactly what has happened, and then I need a little discipline from my Daddy!

Oh Lord, forgive me for being so caught up in the busy time of Christmas that I have forgotten to worship you daily. Yes, church has been amazing and I have loved that time, but I have not taken it into my everyday. I have lost my joy on several occasions simply because I “have to get it DONE!” Help me to refocus on You, why You came and those that I love so dearly. Thank you for loving me… in spite of myself!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!