Take Time to Enjoy God's Blessings This Christmas - Advent Devotional - December 30

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Take Time to Enjoy God's Blessings This Christmas
By Laura Bailey

Bible Reading
“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” - Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 NIV

“Are you getting my calendar invites?” I asked my husband over dinner. 

“Which one? The one about the Christmas play at school? Or the Sunday School Holiday potluck? How could I miss the multiple invitations to celebrate Christmas with our families, friends, and people we barely know?” My husband’s voice was playful, but I still sensed his aggravation over our packed calendar.

It is a recurring disagreement in our household; I enjoy a calendar filled with activities, hosting people, and hustle and bustle, while my husband prefers a more relaxed schedule of events, i.e., sitting in his pajamas watching a Christmas movie with just our family. Both ways of celebrating Christmas have their drawbacks and perks. 

My over-scheduling can lead our family to feelings of exhaustion and a desire to just “get through Christmas” so they can have a chance to relax. Yet, on the flip side, by hosting events at our home, we’ve had the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others and invite people to have a seat at the table who didn’t have anyone to share the holiday. If our family engaged in Christmas the way my husband prefers, we would often miss out on supporting our friends in their plays, attending church events, and celebrating time with family. However, it is nice to rest and simply enjoy the gift of each other’s presence without constantly thinking about the next event on the calendar. 

This tension of knowing when to take action and when to rest is often addressed in the pages of Scripture. The Bible is replete with invitations to the weary to come to Jesus for rest (Matthew 11:28) and to abide in Christ (John 15:14). Conversely, Scripture charges us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19) and to make the most of every opportunity because the days are short (Ephesians 5:15-16). So then, what’s the answer? Do we go and do, or stay and linger this holiday season?

Solomon in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 offers insight into how we should approach Christmas time. He writes, “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This, too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” For someone whose holiday plans involve a lot of eating, I am grateful that Solomon encourages us to enjoy our food! And all God’s children said, “Amen!” 

All jokes aside, Solomon, in these verses, reminds us to enjoy life's blessings: food, fellowship, and a job well done. Even in a fallen world where the evidence of sin is prevalent, we still experience gifts from a most gracious and loving Father. I like to think of these blessings as “glimmers of Heaven,” glimpses of the abundant, extravagant life those in Christ will experience for all eternity. 

Solomon does not encourage us to abandon our responsibilities, forgo our obligations, or even say no to things we enjoy doing. Instead, he draws our attention to the fact that God is sovereign over everything. Even our ability to find enjoyment in this life comes from the Lord. 

So, however, you celebrate this season, cling to the truth that God’s grace and mercy enable us to experience eternity in the here and now. Might I suggest, as our family has come to practice, a mixture of participation in the holiday, ensuring we have ample time for rest and relaxation, and giving the Lord all the glory and honor because He alone is worthy.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Think about your holiday plans. Do you tend to lean more towards filling the calendar with “all the things?” Or perhaps you are more likely to keep a clear schedule? In light of Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, how might the Lord call you to adjust your plans this Christmas season so that you can fully enjoy and share the blessings from the Lord with others?

Further Reading:
John 15:4
Ephesians 5:15-16

Photo Credit: ©Getty/gorodenkoff

Laura Bailey author headshotLaura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Her recent book, Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now, explores how the timeless truths of Ecclesiastes help us live more peaceful, purposeful, and plentiful lives today.

She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com connect on Facebook and Instagram

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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Larry Elder is an American lawyer, writer, and radio and television personality who calls himself the "Sage of South Central" a district of Los Angeles, Larry says his philosophy is to entertain, inform, provoke and to hopefully uplift. His calling card is "we have a country to save" and to him this means returning to the bedrock Constitutional principles of limited government and maximum personal responsibility. Elder's iconoclastic wit and intellectual agility makes him a particularly attractive voice in a nation that seems weary of traditional racial dialogue.” – Los Angeles Times.

Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show each day.

When Dr. Sebastian Gorka was growing up, he listened to talk radio under his pillow with a transistor radio, dreaming that one day he would be behind the microphone. Beginning New Year’s Day 2019, he got his wish. Gorka now hosts America First every weekday afternoon 3 to 6pm ET. Gorka’s unique story works well on the radio. He is national security analyst for the Fox News Channel and author of two books: "Why We Fight" and "Defeating Jihad." His latest book releasing this fall is “War For America’s Soul.” He is uniquely qualified to fight the culture war and stand up for what is great about America, his adopted home country.

Broadcasting from his home station of KRLA in Los Angeles, the Dennis Prager Show is heard across the country. Everything in life – from politics to religion to relationships – is grist for Dennis’ mill. If it’s interesting, if it affects your life, then Dennis will be talking about it – with passion, humor, insight and wisdom.

Sean Hannity is a conservative radio and television host, and one of the original primetime hosts on the Fox News Channel, where he has appeared since 1996. Sean Hannity began his radio career at a college station in California, before moving on to markets in the Southeast and New York. Today, he’s one of the most listened to on-air voices. Hannity’s radio program went into national syndication on September 10, 2001, and airs on more than 500 stations. Talkers Magazine estimates Hannity’s weekly radio audience at 13.5 million. In 1996 he was hired as one of the original hosts on Fox News Channel. As host of several popular Fox programs, Hannity has become the highest-paid news anchor on television.

Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

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Take Time to Enjoy God's Blessings This Christmas - Advent Devotional - December 30

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

The Crosswalk Devotional updated banner logo

Take Time to Enjoy God's Blessings This Christmas
By Laura Bailey

Bible Reading
“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” - Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 NIV

“Are you getting my calendar invites?” I asked my husband over dinner. 

“Which one? The one about the Christmas play at school? Or the Sunday School Holiday potluck? How could I miss the multiple invitations to celebrate Christmas with our families, friends, and people we barely know?” My husband’s voice was playful, but I still sensed his aggravation over our packed calendar.

It is a recurring disagreement in our household; I enjoy a calendar filled with activities, hosting people, and hustle and bustle, while my husband prefers a more relaxed schedule of events, i.e., sitting in his pajamas watching a Christmas movie with just our family. Both ways of celebrating Christmas have their drawbacks and perks. 

My over-scheduling can lead our family to feelings of exhaustion and a desire to just “get through Christmas” so they can have a chance to relax. Yet, on the flip side, by hosting events at our home, we’ve had the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others and invite people to have a seat at the table who didn’t have anyone to share the holiday. If our family engaged in Christmas the way my husband prefers, we would often miss out on supporting our friends in their plays, attending church events, and celebrating time with family. However, it is nice to rest and simply enjoy the gift of each other’s presence without constantly thinking about the next event on the calendar. 

This tension of knowing when to take action and when to rest is often addressed in the pages of Scripture. The Bible is replete with invitations to the weary to come to Jesus for rest (Matthew 11:28) and to abide in Christ (John 15:14). Conversely, Scripture charges us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19) and to make the most of every opportunity because the days are short (Ephesians 5:15-16). So then, what’s the answer? Do we go and do, or stay and linger this holiday season?

Solomon in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 offers insight into how we should approach Christmas time. He writes, “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This, too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” For someone whose holiday plans involve a lot of eating, I am grateful that Solomon encourages us to enjoy our food! And all God’s children said, “Amen!” 

All jokes aside, Solomon, in these verses, reminds us to enjoy life's blessings: food, fellowship, and a job well done. Even in a fallen world where the evidence of sin is prevalent, we still experience gifts from a most gracious and loving Father. I like to think of these blessings as “glimmers of Heaven,” glimpses of the abundant, extravagant life those in Christ will experience for all eternity. 

Solomon does not encourage us to abandon our responsibilities, forgo our obligations, or even say no to things we enjoy doing. Instead, he draws our attention to the fact that God is sovereign over everything. Even our ability to find enjoyment in this life comes from the Lord. 

So, however, you celebrate this season, cling to the truth that God’s grace and mercy enable us to experience eternity in the here and now. Might I suggest, as our family has come to practice, a mixture of participation in the holiday, ensuring we have ample time for rest and relaxation, and giving the Lord all the glory and honor because He alone is worthy.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Think about your holiday plans. Do you tend to lean more towards filling the calendar with “all the things?” Or perhaps you are more likely to keep a clear schedule? In light of Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, how might the Lord call you to adjust your plans this Christmas season so that you can fully enjoy and share the blessings from the Lord with others?

Further Reading:
John 15:4
Ephesians 5:15-16

Photo Credit: ©Getty/gorodenkoff

Laura Bailey author headshotLaura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Her recent book, Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now, explores how the timeless truths of Ecclesiastes help us live more peaceful, purposeful, and plentiful lives today.

She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com connect on Facebook and Instagram

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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