I have a confession to make. This time of year has a tendency to bring out the materialistic side of me with my mind often wandering to what gifts I will give to my loved ones and also, what gifts I may like. Not to mention whether I should buy Christmas pyjamas, jumpers and all the other paraphernalia that comes with this season. 

As someone who made the conscience effort to change the way I consume stuff almost 10 years ago, I try not to buy unnecessary items and like to keep things fairly minimal; for the most part I do pretty well at sticking to my guns throughout the year. However, when the Christmas season comes upon us and family and loved ones start asking for present ideas for my boys, I find my brain goes into overdrive.  The space in my brain becomes chaotic and noisy and despite growing up in a family where the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus – was lovingly taught and despite knowing this deep in my heart, each year I get consumed. I don’t go overboard with gifts, I admit, but that’s not the point. The point is, that it becomes a large part of what I think about. I wonder if this sounds familiar?

One Monday morning as I was sitting and reflecting on what I needed to do in the upcoming week, the noise was interrupted by a gentle, clear voice reminding me of Luke’s words about Mary in the aftermath of Jesus’ birth. Luke writes, ‘But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.’ Luke 2:19 NIV. 

Mary, a young girl, has just given birth to a baby, who will be the Saviour of the World, and is surrounded by excitable, and probably somewhat smelly strangers – shepherds – among the noise and smelly chaos of farm animals. Luke’s words, for me, paint a picture of Mary having a quiet appreciation for what’s just happened. A humble contentment in living out the call God had on her life. She takes a moment in the chaos of the shepherd’s excitement to ponder what God has done.  Amongst the eagerness of the shepherds’ desire to share the news, in addition to the noise and smells of farm animals, Mary takes a moment to pause, to treasure the moment. 

Advent is a time of year for reflection and Christmas, a celebration of the birth of the Messiah. But, in the busyness of the Christmas season how often do we take a moment just to slow down and ponder what God has done? How easy it is to get caught up in the trappings and chaos of consumerist Christmas. Maybe for you, it’s not about the gifts but the schedule – Christmas concerts, parties, Santa’s grottoes, pantomimes. You feel overwhelmed and don’t know when you’ll have time to breathe. While giving gifts can be a joy and Christmas events are fun, we need not be consumed by them; we need not let them make so much chaos and noise. Let us not forget to pause and treasure the true meaning of this season – Jesus making His home on Earth so we can make our home in Heaven.

This Christmas season can I encourage you to take a moment to pause, centre your heart on Jesus and treasure these things in your heart?