The Christmas holidays carry a weight that is paramount to almost any other time of year.
Individuals that experience the holidays for the first time without a significant member of their lives due to loss, families that experience financial strain to provide all that our children desire, and the general chaos that abounds with trying to balance work, family, and the holiday cheer.
And who could forget the most incredibly embarrassing moment we all try to avoid; wearing your tacky Christmas sweater to a non-tacky party!
So how do we successfully navigate the journey from a "Merry Christmas to a Happy New Year?"
Free your mind from worry!
In the Christmas narrative Mary and Joseph were both approached by an angel making a bold declaration of a miraculous birth. No doubt they were both shocked and in awe. Mary's response of "how can this be?" sheds light on just how quickly anxiety can begin to send one's emotions spiraling in so many different directions.
Once Mary and Joseph's nerves were settled and they listened more intently to the angel's speech they both chose to act in faith and receive the plan God had placed on their lives. Mary's humble response, "I am the Lord's servant, let it be done according to your word" seems to manifest an overwhelming peace that could only be provided to someone in complete surrender by Someone in total control.
Our lives are no different. Chaos constantly abounds. News given to us that we never would have asked for. Placed in a position to fret, worry, become anxious, and fearful. Yet, given the opportunity to simply reply "be it done according to your word" we begin to feel the weight of worry dissipate under the undeniable presence of God's peace.
Worry is simply the evidence of our doubt that God is not control. As if, by some chance, He doesn't have this. That maybe our situation has escaped Him or is beyond His control. Or maybe He doesn't have our best interest in mind.
So, in many instances, we begin to pull back the reigns, rake our chips back across the table, start devising our own plans for how we're going to make this better. And all the while, because we've been down this road before, we know that our plan will be insufficient, unsuccessful, or only provide temporary relief for the heartache heading in our direction apart from His intervention.
So, how do we gear up for a Happy New Year? Remember that God is transcendent; He's above space and time. Yet He is also imminent, ever drawing near. The Christmas story reminds us that by Jesus coming to earth there would be a new day dawning; a day when His peace would overshadow every worry in this world! Don't feel victimized or paralyzed by the fear, worry, or doubt that your circumstances create; let peace, His peace, rule your heart that you might have a Happy New Year!
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