“Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her” (Luke 10:41-42, emphasis added).
Welcome to my world. I’m hosting Christmas for oodles of beloved family members, and the Martha in me wants to show my love by making everyone else’s Christmas perfect: Decorations? Check. Clean house? Check. Gourmet food? Check. (“Sort of. Wait. Let me run into the kitchen to prep a few things . . . I’ll be back in five hours.”)
But you know . . . the clean house, and gourmet food, and Pinterest-worthy Christmas decorations, aren’t what’s most important for our family holiday. A great holiday is about time spent together, about laughing so hard you snort egg nog through your nose, about the light of magic shining in our children’s eyes. So I hope you’ll join me in taking Jesus’ gentle words to Martha to heart this holiday season. Let’s “choose what is better.”
And what did Mary choose? She chose to be present. To be engaged. To be with—fully with—the people who had come into her home. To spend time sitting at the feet of the Lord, listening and learning. That’s what makes the holidays great. That’s what is “better.” So won’t you join me?
Let the dishes soak a little longer.
Let the pine needles rest on the carpet a little longer.
Let the meals be a little simpler.
Let’s just be there with the people—and the Lord—we love.
That, my friends, is better. That’s BEST. And Jesus will not take it away from us!
THIS is a great one!!
Thanks, Mom! Can’t wait to have you here! 😀
Thank you, true and helpful 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Thank You Elizabeth! I appreciate you sharing spiritual wisdom, funny stories and heartfelt inspiration…so good for us & love to share!! Mary Christmas from our family to yours! The Guinn’s, Maielli’s & Moore’s
🙂
Thanks so much, Tanya! Your family has so many wonderful things to celebrate this year! Congratulations!
I love this Elizabeth! A very Merry Christmas to you and your family. We love you and miss you!
Thank you, Sherry! Love and miss you too! Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
I’m trying SO HARD. Really. And maybe that’s why I’m failing. Christmas with three tinies and a lot of family is tough. But Mary Christmas and may it be a good one for all of us.
Oh my goodness, Whitney, I know the feeling! There is just SO MUCH TO DO with little ones underfoot. (But I am sure you are doing better than you THINK you are!) I think if we at least have that Mary voice in our head, we’ll find some moments to slow down in spite of all the things that have to be done to pull off Christmas. I tell you, I appreciate my mom SO MUCH MORE now that I’m the mom at Christmas! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!