Second Thoughts ~ Christmas Joys ~ Busyness

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

“Don’t schedule yourself too tightly during the holidays.  Before making an appointment ask yourself ‘Can this wait until after Christmas?’”

I had the privilege of being the silent child in the room when my Grandfather would counsel his flock on Sunday’s after his sermon.  One of the things I heard him say server times was, “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.”  

We get so very busy doing the tasks of Christmas that we forget that most of them are supposed to be a joy.  We forget that the time is fleeting and that we need to invest it in each other.  Except for wrapping presents I include my family and friends in everything I can.  I have even gotten gift wrapping down to something elegant, fast, economical, and easy.  Yes, Dear Reader if you ask me I will tell you.

Still I want everyone to make the time to enjoy each other.  There is no task so important that the people do not matter.  Busyness is barren.  It shuts out the people for whom we are busy.  Each year I look at the things I have to do and ask what can wait without slight or harm to anyone else. 

I would rather have time with you Dear Reader than be busy with things.

I Need a Silent Night – Amy Grant

I've made the same mistake before

Too many malls, too many stores

December traffic, Christmas rush

It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying

To photograph Santa and sleigh

The shopping and buying and standing forever in line

What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night

To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise

I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here

To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears

Faster and faster every year

Did my own mother keep this pace?

Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow

Watching three channels on their TV

Look at us now rushing around

Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night

To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise

I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here

To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem

With peace on earth, good will toward men?

Every shepherd's out in the field

Keeping watch over their flock by night

And the glory of the Lord shone around them

And they were so afraid

And the angels said fear not for behold

I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people

For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord

And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

I need a silent night, a holy night

To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise

I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here

To end this crazy day with a silent night

To end this crazy day with a silent night

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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