Do You Celebrate Jesus Like… Mary? (1 of 3)

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. 

Wednesday, we’ll turn our sights on Martha. 

And on Friday, 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…

• Will you celebrate Jesus like Mary did and sit at His feet? 
• Will you focus on His holy birth.
• Will you take this opportunity to press in and bask in His glory?

OR

• Will you celebrate in a more “secular” fashion by getting caught up in the world’s holiday celebration? 
• Will you focus too much on the sales and bargains, blowing your budget?
• Will you work hard to compete with others, seeing who has the most elaborate Christmas decorations, the best parties, and the biggest gifts?

So, friends… who will get 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 in letting 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?

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

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