“I just need a break,” I think to myself. The holidays have already worn me out and Thanksgiving was an overlooked afterthought. The world is picking up speed in loud anticipation of December, spinning faster and faster, screaming at me like white noise, “Christmas is coming!! Have you bought your gifts? Decorated your house?? Watched every single Christmas movie?? Planned your December and filled your calendar with a plethora of holiday activities?!”
Everywhere I look, everyone (every Instagram square, every outdoor shopping mall, every commercial on TV) seems to be winding up for a holiday season which, when cranked tight enough, will inevitably end in an explosive celebration to welcome a new year. Flashy lights, ornate Christmas trees, holiday fashion–the white noise world wails for me to look left, now right, hello! lookup here, hold on, down there! The Holiday Buzz is desperately clawing for my attention, reaching and grabbing at me with long distracting tentacles, making me envious, anxious, and unable to slow down for a second to just think.
Time runs, gaining momentum on its own Disney fast pass, to the end of yet another year. The amped holiday season jumps from one fun yet frazzled event to the next, like a child bounding on all fours trying to reach the top of the jungle gym. The sparkle and dazzle shine so brightly that it blinds me, leaving me feeling empty and void.
The quiet joy of the coming Advent season becomes drowned in all the noise, noise, NOOOOOIIISE!
QUIET!!
Head in my hands, I take a moment to breathe some fresh air–a deep IN and then a whooshing OUT—
I listen and look.
I hear the wind rustle the nearly-bald trees, a placid plea for the gentle giants to surrender their comely, autumn covering. Vivid yellow and red leaves dance in the breeze, floating and falling to the ground, a beautiful live show I admire from my picture window. My dog is nestled snugly in his bed, resting his sweet puppy-dog head on his paws, showing me the need to slow down.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
Beauty in the Noise-Free Zones
There is an art to treasuring serene moments like these; beauty for the taking if we train our eyes to see and our heart to feel this Christmas season. Through a tumultuous journey, Mary and Joseph finally find a place to have their baby. When the babe arrives, there is so much commotion.
Mary takes a step back, even if only in her mind…and breathes a content hallelujah. The journey has been rough, but this moment is perfect, and Mary takes in everything.
She recognizes these cognitive moments as a gift from God, and she wants to remember each detail in its entirety. And it’s not the gifts from the Magi nor the popularity from the shepherds that cause her heart to stir, but the gift of God Himself, in babe form.
Bottom Line
So, instead of turning my head left and right in a frenzy of motion, I slow my anxious thoughts and fill my lungs with fresh air. I kiss the soft downy hair of Baby Boy’s head, breathing in his sweetness: God in babe form. I fill my heart with this simple truth so that when I breathe in, it is the goodness of the gifts of God. Then I am able to breathe out, without dependency on anything else, His thanks and praise. And with each emboldened breath, my heart hinges open becoming a treasure chest, storing these precious moments for when I need them most.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I confess that I have entered this season of Advent distracted and anxious. You are so good to us. Always giving us exactly what we need when we need it most. Please forgive me for trying to take this season into my own hands. Thank you for sending your son, a precious gift, into the world for us. Lord, thank you for all the treasures you give each and every day. I pray that you prepare my heart to give Him room in this Advent season. Fill my soul up with the One who knows me in and out. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.
