Are You Celebrating Christmas Like… Mary?

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  (Luke 10:38-40)

Mary sits with Jesus… while Martha works.

I appreciate how these two sisters perfectly contrast the holidays.  Each one suggests a different approach we can have to the Christmas season.

The question is, which one of them has it right?

Today, we’re going to look at Mary. 

Tomorrow, we’ll turn our sights on Martha. 

And on Thursday, we’ll make sense of it all… so make sure to read all three!

In this scripture, we find Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus.  If she had plans, she pushed them aside. If anyone needed her help, it could wait.

Her priority was to celebrate Jesus.  She wanted to press in and she wasn’t going to let anything or anyone stop her.

By doing this, Mary broke protocol because as a women in that day, she was not allowed to be a part of a teaching moment… but it didn’t matter.

She also chose to let down her sister because she didn’t help out with hospitality… but that didn’t guilt her.

Mary didn’t get weighed down by the world’s expectations.  When she had the chance to be with Jesus, she took it.

At that moment, it was all that mattered.

And later in that same passage of scripture, Jesus recognized that her priorities were right.

… Are yours?

This Christmas season…

• Are you celebrating Jesus like Mary did and sit at His feet? 
• Are you focusing on His holy birth.
• Are you taking this opportunity to press in and bask in His glory?

OR

• Are you celebrating in a more “secular” fashion by getting caught up in the world’s festivities? 
• Are you focusing too much on the sales and bargains, blowing your budget?
• Are you working hard to compete with others, seeing who has the most elaborate Christmas decorations, the best gifts, or the biggest parties?

So, friends… who is getting your time and attention this season?

Mary’s example of having the right priorities really challenges us.  She sets the bar high.

… right where it should be.

If we follow her lead, then we’ll be intentional to let go of our self-imposed schedules as well as the holiday protocol dictated by the world… and just sit with our Jesus.

Are your priorities in the right order?

Are you choosing to celebrate Jesus like… Mary?

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