Christmas is a magical time. Enjoying the peace and promises of the season, time with loved ones and reflection is truly amazing, isn’t it?
As the season begins to wind down and we start to look ahead to the new year, I’ve been focusing on taking it all in and making the most of this season.
If your house looks like mine, it’s probably a little fuller than normal. Between Santa, grandparents, friends and other exciting events, we have toys, clothes and other gifts scattered everywhere. In a way, it’s fun. I love watching my kids remember a present, break into it, have a blast, then move onto another. The process keeps repeating itself. They’re having fun and spending a little less time in front of the television (unfortunately…no less time arguing š ).
I’ve been thinking about how it all applies to my life. How can we make the spirit of Advent last a little longer? I think it does start with gifts…but not the gifts found under the tree.
I don’t know if any of you watch Nashville. I’m a guilty watcher. I’ve always been drawn to music and certain songs have always stood out to me. One of them is from the show’s soundtrack…it’s called “It Aint Yours to Give Away.” Maybe you’ve heard it…maybe you haven’t.
The following are a part of the lyrics to the song:
What if you’re just a vessel
And God gave you something special
It ain’t yours to throw away
It ain’t yours to throw away
As I drank a cup of coffee the other day, watching the tree and bundling up against the freezing temperatures outside, this song came to mind.
We may not all be gifted with money, extraordinary musical abilities like the actress in this show or anything that feels super exciting, but, we’re all gifted just the same. None of us is alike, none of us has the exact passions or drives as others.
It became a convicting thought for me. One of the gifts that I’ve often taken for granted as something I just enjoy, is writing. I’ve loved putting my thoughts to paper forever; in fact, it’s often the easiest way for me to communicate or make a point. Ask me to speak in front of 100 people and the results may be less than applaud-worthy. Ask me to sing, dance or perform an amazing task, I’ll fall short (though I’d have fun trying). Numbers? Science? Forget it. Writing, however, is my happy place.
As such, as the year gets underway, I’ve decided to create an Advent devotional for next year. I get to keep the season going while using something that I feel I was given as a gift. Maybe it’ll just be a fun project, but, maybe it will be more. Right now, I’m following in what I feel led to pursue.
More than just me; I believe we’re all provided with little gifts. Maybe you know sure as day what yours is. Maybe you’re less certain. But, I’d encourage you to think about what you enjoy, where you find your heart and your head when you’re not focused on everyday tasks, what you long for, to acknowledge it as a gift and to pray about how God is leading you to pursue it as this advent season comes to a close. Let’s keep the season going, even when the world says it’s time to move on!
Take Two 
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