Christmas is in the air

It is that special time of year......time to shop till we drop to buy the perfect gift, decorate our homes with our favorite decorations and lights, and then of course bake all of the family favorits. I love this time of year so much but I know for me if am not careful I can keep myself so busy that somewhere in the mix, it's easy to feel empty and lose sight of Jesus. How can we push aside the busyness of the season and get a true glimpse of Christ at Christmas.

Here are a few ideas that help me keep my focus on the Jesus....the true Reason for the season:

1. Read the Christmas story in the New Testament with fresh eyes and ask the Lord to show you

something new this Christmas that maybe you hadn't noticed before.

2. Bless a family in need or even have a Christmas Open House for your neighbors to share the

joy of Christmas.

3. Another great book to read is "Can Martha Have a Mary Christmas?"......Untangling

Expectations and Truly Experiencing Jesus. This book is a great little book that is a daily

reminder of what Christmas really means. It offers tender insights, practical suggestions, and

touching stories that show you how to calm down and slow down the Christmas season.

Can Martha Have a Mary Christmas? Untangling Expectations and Truly Experiencing Jesus

By: Brenda Poinsett

This year you can truly experience Jesus and have a Mary Christmas.

Also check out the new series we are going through at church - Christmas a Tangled Mess, Untangling the Family http://www.hopeinocala.com/