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From the Executive Director
Perhaps your family has always done a good job of celebrating Christmas without the stress of materialism, busyness, and overachievement (in the areas of decorating, baking, etc.). Perhaps keeping Jesus as the center of the season is the first thing on your mind these days. I pray this is true!
But I must confess that I struggle every year with the sheer amount of work brought about by the Christmas season. The dark side of me turns into a Martha Stewart wannabe - shopping, decorating, card-writing, wrapping, baking, and giving parties. In the middle of the insanity, I struggle to find time to spend with Jesus - time to soak up his love and enjoy celebrating his birth.
What Jesus did in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago is beyond comprehension. He subjected his deity to the confines of the world we live in so he could be sacrificed as payment for the sins of all mankind. God planned this as the means to remove the barrier of sin between himself and his creation. Jesus is the reason for any hope held by mankind. Jesus is the reason for this season.
I'm working hard at keeping Jesus in the center of the season for me and my family this year. That goal is impacting my daily decisions for Christmas preparations. I'm just not able to go as far into "Martha mode" as I have in the past. But, it's a good thing!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! May Jesus be the reason for your season!
Sheri Philips
sphilips@georgefox.edu
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