This Christmas

This Christmas is strange. I don’t feel like decorating. I don’t feel like making cookies. I don’t feel like doing anything but opening presents for myself and quilting the day away. As my friend encouraged, “Nothing wrong with a Mary Christmas in the aftermath of who knows how many years of making Martha Christmases.” Oh, the reminder that sometimes we need to sit and be and enjoy and reflect and see all the sweet mercies God has given in the birth of Jesus.

While thinking of such things, I happened upon this RaVonda Dalton-Rann poem presented by the Baltimore Choral Arts Christmas concert heard on 88.1 WYPR. See God’s mercy?

It is time to rest and ponder so we can “Raise our eyes and See the Child.”

This Christmas, By RaVonda Dalton-Rann
THIS CHRISTMAS…
Raise your eyes
Look beyond yourself
Call His name
Out loud
And sing the song of wisdom

THIS CHRISTMAS…
Give a child a coat
Buy that man on the corner a meal
Slow your walking pace
And
Look into the eyes of that woman who pushes that cart
Ask her what she needs
And give it to her

THIS CHRISTMAS…
Open your home
And share the warmth
Start a fire of love
And carry it with you throughout each day

THIS CHRISTMAS…
Love your neighbor
Speak to strangers
Hear the same river in each of us
Call each man a mountain

Raise your eyes
and See the Child

Debby Sutton

A Foretaste

What are your family’s Christmas traditions? To be honest, I’ve always been a little embarrassed about our traditions. They aren’t terribly feel-good ones or ones which reflect excessive kindness. These traditions are what glue us together like nothing else. Those traditions: Food and Christmas lights. It’s true those are the only things we have. We don’t take a lot of time opening presents. We don’t always attend church, we don’t always open our doors to others, and we don’t always go out and do something together. But we always eat lots of yummy food and drive around looking at Christmas lights. As simple as those are, it’s become clearer to me the sweetness of these delights.

When Jesus was born, a star shone throughout the heavens to announce that the Savior had been born.

Jesus’ first miracle was all about making a party even more enjoyable with the finest wine.

When Jesus was alive he pronounced that He was the light of the world.

After Jesus washed his disciples’ feet he showed them he was the bread of life.

Jesus tells us that when he returns he will be the true source of light without need for a sun.

He invites us weekly to get a taste of the wedding feast of the Lamb to which we are invited as Christ’s own.

As Christ followers, there is a sheer joy when the things of this world start to make sense in light of the world to come. Jesus promises to light our path, to find us, and to feed us from living waters. He does it all so that one Christmas we’ll be with him singing alongside the angels the song they shouted to the shepherds so long ago. But, today, we get to celebrate with little hints of that glorious tomorrow.

Anyone for pie?

Debby Sutton

Family Fun

There are 4 siblings in my family. Each of us has one sibling with whom we don’t speak. It’s not even the holidays yet, and we’ve already had our first holiday drama. My back is starting to seize, and my eye twitch has returned. I really just want to send a loaded email and let someone have it! They are treating people horribly, and they just need to know that I don’t really want to see them. Even while writing this my head starts to hurt and tears start to form. How do they get away with such behavior?

How do I get away with such behavior?

The sweet words of a brother and another darling friend reminded me of the reason Jesus came so long ago. He came to restore the broken and redefine families. Most long to have the large, welcoming, no issue, ever gracious, not bringing up sore subjects, and actually wanting to be together family. We were made that way. But, when Jesus was born he inaugurated a better family.

Jesus’ life told us that it didn’t matter what family you came from, what family you got into, or what family you made. For the first time all that mattered was being part of the family, which he created from the beginning of time, full of broken, fallen, redeemed people – God’s family. And from that family we gain value. Your value isn’t based anymore on your extended family getting along or even who they are. My value isn’t based anymore on whether or not I’m married. Our value isn’t based anymore on if we have children or on how those children turn out to be. Our value is based on Jesus’ life, pursuits, and love.

Truth is, Christmas is difficult for families. The old wounds surface, the simmering tensions boil, and the endless frustrations rear their heads. In the midst of it – remember that baby. That baby who came to redefine families as Jesus is our most perfect older brother. He gave his life for us. He gave his place for us. He gives us value.

Ps 68:6a – God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.

P.S. Email not sent. Family will get together, and we still need Jesus. We know He is in the midst. Praying we can act like it!

Debby Sutton

Exhausted Pies

It’s become excessively clear this year that I have a type A personality. I like things to be correct, the best, and the most they can be. I enjoy things to shine as they should and to reflect the effort I’ve put into them.

It’s exhausting being me.

This holiday season isn’t any different. I was making pies to freeze in prep for the many yummy dinners just around the corner. The pie with its lattice top had cooled on the counter and was ready to be wrapped. One layer of protection on and all was well. The second layer of protection was placed and I heard it… the crisp snap of a lattice beam being broken on my pie.

In an instant my perfectionism was shattered. My hopes of awe-inspired praises were dashed. My status as supreme baker was washed out to sea. Sigh. But, a little voice called to my heart saying, “A broken pie is just a reminder that you need Jesus.”

That fact alone is why Jesus came and why we celebrate His birth. We have all tried and tried to be perfect, to get it right, to live up to the standard set before us by ourselves and others. We have tried.

And it’s exhausting.

That little baby would grow. He would be perfect. He would get it right. He would live up to the standards. He would do it for you. He would do it for me. He would do it for us. And sweetly he would call to our hearts saying, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

This Christmas, let’s put down the burden, put down the pie, the ornaments, the presents, the stress, and put on his easy, gentle yoke which gives rest for our souls as he leads us in his most perfect way.

No more exhaustion required. Best present ever.

Debby Sutton