Wishing You a Mary Christmas!

I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed by Christmas this year. Maybe it is because we are kind of poor this year and in an effort to save money I am trying to make most of our presents– which takes MUCH more time than buying them at the store! Also, this is our first Christmas in our own home and I am feeling pressure to decorate it cute (why–I’m not exactly sure?) and I have a little one-year-old who makes doing anything harder. Needless to say I haven’t been thinking much about the real reason of Christmas. Given my Christmas mindset I was VERY grateful for the reminder in Relief Society about Mary and Martha. The scriptures say that Martha was “cumbered about with much serving” while Mary took time and “sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.” (Luke 10:36-42) I realized that I have been so “cumbered about” with myself and my self-imposed expectations (really does anyone else care how my Christmas tree is decorated- not really) that I have not taken the time to sit at Jesus’ feet and reflect about what Christmas really means.

I realized that I have been spending a lot of time and energy on things that are of no worth. Things that have been taking me away from my Savior and which have not made me a better disciple. I’ve decided that this Christmas I don’t want to waste my time being a Martha– but instead want to focus on being a Mary. I am going to try to focus on Christmas activities and traditions that bring me and my family closer to God rather than those that overwhelm and stress me out. I want to have a MARY CHRISTMAS (ha, ha, get it?), one centered on the Savior and not on worldly things. I’ve thought of a few ideas to try out, I’ll let you know how I do! Any suggestions?