If an angel of the Lord appeared to me like he did to the shepherds, I wonder if I’d be too busy to slow down and notice. How would I react if an angel appeared to me while I was in line at Target, or racing through the grocery store? Would I even see it? Do I care more about slowing down to savor the Lord’s presence or about speed cleaning through my house so guests won’t think I’m a total clutter queen?
The shepherds were busy at their everyday work when the angel appeared, and the glory of the Lord surrounded them.
How much glory and good news do we miss in our every day?
December is a favorite time of year, yet for many moms, the holidays only add to our to-do list. If we didn’t have trouble keeping up with regular life before, now there’s cookie baking, decorating, gift-buying, Christmas programs, and more Target runs.
I enjoy holiday activities, but I don’t want them to make me miss the main thing: slowing down to savor and share the good news.
The angel said it was good news, right?
The Christmas story isn’t just some otherworldly happening, the supernatural birth of a baby born 2,000 years ago. Jesus’ birth is good news for our lives today. In the opening chapters of Luke, I see reasons to rejoice, and I’ll be writing about these each Tuesday in December:
- God saves us from sin.
- He hears our prayers.
- We are blessed in believing.
- We have the Holy Spirit, God’s presence and power.
How about slowing down to savor the good news of our Savior this December?
Let’s allow His Spirit to write good news more deeply on our hearts, and let’s share it with others. Let’s not miss out on the glory of God all around us.
Take 15 minutes each day to slow down and savor time with God.
Rather than speedreading to finish your “Read the Bible in a Year” program by December 31st, why not slow down? Try reading 10-20 verses each day from the opening chapters of one of the gospels. As you read, ask yourself, “How is this good news for my life today? What difference can this make to me?”
Ask Him to open your eyes to His glory.
At the start of each day, ask God to show Himself and to speak to you. Before you lay down at night, ask yourself, “Where did I see or hear God today?” Thank Him.
Take time to share good news with your family and friends.
Celebrate Advent by lighting a wreath and doing readings together, either each evening or just on Sunday nights. Read more here about how Advent rescues Christmas from the gift goblins and how to celebrate it as you can instead of trying to live up to Hallmark holiday perfection.
Consider inviting a friend to join you for church during the holidays, or even to join your family on a Sunday evening for soup and an Advent reading.
The best way to not miss out on the good news is simple. Slow down to share it with your family and friends. Slow down to enjoy the people you love. Most of all, slow down to enjoy your Savior this season. Savor quiet moments with Him.
Now it’s your turn: what do you like to do to slow down for the holidays?
Join me each Tuesday in December for more on “Slowing Down to Savor the Good News.” You can subscribe to get each post in this series delivered to your inbox. Enter your e-mail address in the box at the top of this page.
For an easy, hands-on way to celebrate Advent with young people, my friend Lisa Appelo wrote Countdown to Christmas: Unwrap the Christmas Story with Your Family in 15 Days. Check this link for more information: http://lisaappelo.com/countdown-to-christmas-book/
I’m linking up with Holly Barrett’s #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup at Angela Parlin’s, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, Lyli Dunbar’s #ThoughtProvokingThursday, and Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
Thank you for this, Betsy. During the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I always feel a stirring in my spirit to spend more quiet time in His presence. This is the time I focus my prayer on discovering a new word or verse for the upcoming year, also. I love how God reveals more of who He is through His living Word!
I feel that same stirring, Kristine. Especially right after Thanksgiving, before Christmas rush. May the Lord reveal more of Himself to you during this season, friend!
Yesterday I turned on our tree lights and just enjoyed the glow while I read. I do want to enjoy this season — but, like you, I do wonder if I would stop for an angel message, or just keep flying by. Your words make me realize that the messages I receive from God will likely come to me in His Word and I’d better slow down as I read and savor all the truth that’s there.
Wow, Michele, that’s so true. About his messages often coming through His Word. In the days before Thanksgiving, I was too busy to pay much attention, but I’ve enjoyed slowing down a bit for more time in the Word the last few days.
Angels flittering around us in the grocery store. I like that image … I like that reality! You’re so right, we’re so absorbed in what’s in front of our nose and our huge to-do lists that we don’t even notice God’s very active presence and all kinds of opportunities and conversations just waiting for our response.
Betsy … thanks for this heads up, this kind invitation …
Thanks for reading today, Linda. Yes, I want to open my eyes wide to God’s “very active presence,” as you say. 🙂
I so enjoyed your post, Betsy, as I am finding myself wanting to savor this Christmas as well. May we not miss any of the glory or good news He is wanting to share with us. Blessings to you, friend!
Blessings to you too, Joanne. Let’s not miss what He has for us!
Some of the best journeys are of the slow variety. I’m going to remember that this Christmas season, Betsy. Love you, my friend, and the continual encouragement you pour into my life and the lives of many. #testimonyTuesday
Thanks so much, Kristi. I appreciate you so much. Sending love your way too. <3
Listening to Christmas music always helps me slow down. I savour the familiar words of the carols and feel a sense of awe and wonder about the Incarnation.
I love that too, Jeannie. Music always touches my spirit in a positive way. 🙂
I’m with you, Betsy. I’m really purposing to slow down this year and not rush through the holidays. I was forced to do it last year because of illness, but I gained so much from simply savoring God’s wonder. I’m being intentional about my time and simplifying where I can – and really, it makes me enjoy Christmas so much more. Love your encouragement, friend.
Yes, WONDER is our word isn’t it? The past days have been cold and blustery here, and I’ve enjoyed slowing down and staying home after the Thanksgiving rush. Need to think about how I can do this more throughout December!
Betsy, you have such a gift of hospitality. I love the idea of inviting another family over for soup and an advent reading. It reminded me of a time a good friend invited us over spur of the moment and we combined the meals we’d already made our families for the evening together. Not fussy….just an open home and sweet fellowship.
Thank you for sharing about the Countdown to Christmas book. We’re starting ours in just a few days and my kids are excited!
I love that idea of sharing meals! Love it! Simple hospitality at it’s best. I’m happy to share Countdown to Christmas, so excited about your resource. 🙂
YES and AMEN Betsy! I think the Spirit has us both on the same theme this week!! Attempting an Advent devotional for the first time this year and I love the questions you’ve asked– How is this good news for my life today?? I’ve been feeling the rush of the year as the days wind down and I’m all in for savoring the season and more importantly what God has for me to learn from it. Thanks so much!! ♥
God’s grace on you as you do the Advent devotional. Is that with your family, or just by yourself, I wonder. May the Lord bless you greatly this December, Heather.
Spending time with God is the best part of my day, but with the holidays, it seems that time gets shorter and shorter every day. Thanks for the reminder to be more intentional about slowing down! <3
I know what you mean, Lauren. That happened to me over Thanksgiving, the days leading up to it for sure! I’m regrouping now. 🙂
Great tips, Betsy. I especially love #2. Asking to see the glory around us…that we’re too busy to recognize for what it is. I’m so glad you posted this early. I so hate it when I’m not in the right mindset during the Christmas season and miss out on the miracle. I have some plans in place to slow down this year. Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂 Hope your holidays are great, friend. xoxo
I hope you enjoy your holidays too, Brenda. I appreciate you. And yes to not missing out on the miracle!
Betsy,
I’m trying really hard not to operate either in 4th gear 5th gear or overdrive this year. Add in trying to wrap up the end of year business for a non-profit organization and my December calendar is rather full. But as you said, the only way to take it all in is to slow it down and often that means cutting out some things so my focus can stay on what truly matters. I’ve set dome goals and one is 15 min of Advent Bible reading each am in December. I’m excited to start ad I know it will be good for my soul!!
Blessings this Advent season,
Bev
5th gear overdrive! Oh may the Lord keep us slowed down, Bev. I know what that’s like. Blessings to you as you do your Advent reading. 🙂
Yes the rush of Christmas can be a little overwhelming if we don’t make effort to corral the chaos! Love your ideas. Time with family and friends is the best way to share the good news.
I agree. I don’t want to be so busy decorating, baking, and gift-buying for my family that I ignore them!
Betsy, I appreciate the encouragement not to speed read through to the end of your read-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. 🙂 My reading plan takes two years, and the Psalms portion that I’m in right now covers Psalm 119 in one day! I am breaking it up into chunks because there is too much good stuff in there to cram it in all at once. I also loved your observation about how the shepherds were just doing their daily work when the glory of the Lord surrounded them. I’ll be looking forward to the rest of your December posts.
I love those two year plans too, Lois, although I haven’t done one in several years. I think I’m too much of a “free spirit” for those plans, but I know many people who are blessed following them. I did enjoy that two year plan years ago. Should think about that for next year… And yes to keeping our eyes open as we work.
Such a wonderful reminder, Betsy! I pray I won’t miss Him in my hectic day to day preparations. So excited to flip my advent calendar over with my kids today! XO
Yay to Advent calendars with kids! Blessings on you and your family as you celebrate this season, Liz!
I definitely need to slow down and savor the true meaning of Christmas. In fact, I’m thinking of WONDER for my word of the year in 2017. Thanks for encouraging us to do so, Betsy!
My word for this past year was WONDER! But I have to admit I didn’t visit that thought often. The year ended up being a bit more difficult than I expected, and it was hard to focus on wonder, maybe? 🙂 But I loved the idea…
Great tips for savoring the good news of Christmas! At the end of October I felt god challenge me to really slow down and start savoring, so I decided to try it for November. It really did help me be less stressed and focus on God more. I am trying to keep savoring, but it does get challenging when life moves so fast around us.
Yes, Kira. It’s hard when life moves so fast. I agree. I’m also trying to slow down and enjoy, savor, life and God.
Beautifully stated Betsy. A couple years ago I spoke with my mother about slowing down the pace as we head towards Christmas. I remember I was frantic trying to get presents for all 11 of my nieces and nephews and my siblings and parents as well. My desire is to focus on my time with them during the holidays and remember why we celebrate…our Savior’s birth. Tonight, my best friend and I are going to the Gift of Christmas musical with a live nativity and everything. This is the second year in a row we are going. We became filled with the spirit as we worshiped our Savior. I am so looking forward to these couple of hours tonight. Thank you for these insights to savoring our Savior this Christmas. May we practice savoring Him every day. Have a fantastic weekend and may God richly bless you and yours.
Thanks so much, Horace. I definitely agree that time with our loved ones is more precious than frantically running around buying gifts. I love amazon for hassle-free gift buying, but can’t really use that here in Turkey. Hope you enjoyed the musical!