A Timely Reminder of Why He Came...For You and For Me

I love Christmas, but if I'm honest, this Christmas season just hasn't felt as...Christmasy. Is that a word? I don't know, but for whatever reason, I have felt more rushed and irritable and less joyful and low on holiday cheer. I have allowed the little things to take precedence over the things that really matter. I have allowed the whining and complaining of my children to get under my skin along with all sorts of other insignificant things that people have said or done. And it just hurts my heart to know it's almost Christmas Day, and I haven't focused on what matters most.

But tonight, I felt the Lord gently speak to my heart.

Each Christmas Eve, for as long as I can remember, my parents have had a party for family and friends to come together after church services and spend time together. Some of my best memories growing up are from those parties, whether staring at the sky hoping to see Santa as a child or reuniting with old friends as I've grown older. A few years ago, my parents passed the torch onto us to take over hosting duties. Most of their friends are now traveling to see grandkids who have moved away, and we have friends of our own to start a new tradition. And so we have.

But for any of you who have hosted a party, you know how it goes. You start cleaning to prepare, and start noticing things that need repairing. Oh, they've been there all year...but you just got used to them, and they hadn't been pressing issues...until now. Am I right?

So I made a shortlist of things we needed to fix or touch up before having guests. And as usual, I waited until the last minute. My hubby took half the list while I focused on the other. Hole in the wall from a misplaced baseball...patched and painted. Check. Ripped sofa cushion from a misplaced jump on the couch...sewn tight. Check. But here's the thing. They are checked off. But not done well. Why? Because I did them.

And as I sat there tonight, lamenting my pitiful patch job on the wall and sad little thread on the couch cushion, the Lord reminded me of why He came.

"These things aren't done well because you aren't equipped for those jobs Maggie. You didn't go to the masters of those jobs. You didn't plan and take the time to make an appointment with the ones who know how to fix them best. Not because you couldn't...they were available to talk with you. You procrastinated and decided to try it on your own. And this is the result...

But Maggie, don't you see? This is why I came. I am the One you need to talk to. I came as a baby to make myself available and approachable and accessible. You try to do things in your own strength every day, but you don't have to! I am right here...waiting for you to come to the Master...the One who will give you rest and carry your burdens and hold you close to my heart when you have nothing left. I will lead you and guide you and teach you. All you have to do is come."

Man...so. spot. on. He knows right where to get me.

Y'all, Jesus came for me. And for you. He came as a lowly baby so he wouldn't intimidate us. He came in human form and felt what we feel so He can identify with what we are going through. He associated with the outcasts and most incredible sinners to show us how approachable He really is. And yet, in all of His humanness, He is God.

He is the Master who can heal our hearts and break our chains and guide our steps when no one else can. He is The One.

So this Christmas, make time to celebrate Him. Plan ahead. Close your eyes and listen to His voice and take time to talk with Him. Share your heart and lay out your fears and worries and desires. Praise Him for all He's done and all He's going to do. And share Him with someone else.

And if you visit my house...overlook the patch job and couch cushion for now...I'll be calling the right people for those jobs soon.

Merry Christmas, Y'all