Let's be honest, for most moms, Christmas can be summed up in one word - work.
So how does a busy mom have her own Christmas celebration?
On an airplane, the flight attendant over the microphone tells parents, if needed, that they should put their own oxygen mask on first. Then, they'll be prepared to put an oxygen mask on each of their children. We need to take care of ourselves, so we can take care of those that God has entrusted to us.
As moms, we need to find a little slice of Christmas, early in December. It could be a concert, passing out plates of chicken at a homeless shelter, visiting a shut-in neighbor, listening to a friend play Christmas carols on the piano, a play, or a worship service.
I have found my own personal celebration of Christmas the last five years at a live outdoor nativity at a church in my neighborhood. .
Outside with the animals, the donkey, some little lambs, the curious goat, the unsanded wooden manger, and the leaning A-frame shelter. The sky is the ceiling. The smelly animals, muddy and bleating, seem to understand. And, there's me sobbing. Worshipping the humble One, who arrived on this earth as a baby in the middle of dirt and mud. Praying I can be more like Him. Loving Him so dearly and knowing that He loves me, even more. Thanking Him for being willing to come to earth.
I drive past the outside Christmas scene fenced off with animals several times the week that they are out, as I go to store or the library. I like to be alone with the animals, before the crowd forms each evening for the musical. I ponder the shepherds and how they must have felt and the manger that was only the first step of many humilations.
In Philippians 2:5-11, the Apostle Paul urges Christians to have the same humble
attitude that Christ had. Even though Jesus was true God, and would have had every
reason to be proud, what did He do instead? The holy Jesus left the splendors of heaven and came to earth to be our Servant, in order to save us from our sins! He humbled Himself in a manger and then, allowing Himself to be put to death on a cross - a very humiliating way to die.
Philippians 2:5-11 says, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
This Christmas, if you need to call me, I'll be at Aspen and Avail Streets, drawn to and awed by the humble Child King. You are welcome to join me, there's room for all.
When I've been touched by the manger, I'll be able to work to give my family their Christmas celebration.
Luke 2:12b "...you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
