Reading Time: 4 minutes
being present
Minor confession: In the midst of putting out our family’s prayer letter last week…I declined a call.
My husband walked into the kitchen, and I had this look like your dog would when it pees on the carpet.
I explained my sheepishness. “Why do you feel guilty about that?” he asked, direct as ever.
“I want to be the kind of person who will drop everything and be present with whoever needs it,” I shrugged.
His eyes had this kind look around the edges. “You know you can only be present by shutting other stuff out, right? You’re present with our financial supporters [my husband and I are supported missionaries with Engineering Ministries International] right now. When you’re present with someone else, you’re shutting out other things you could be paying attention to.”
I literally thought about the post I wrote about being distracted with others–and how to be fully, powerfully present. We all know what it’s like to compete with headphones or a smartphone.
So often in my attempts to be everywhere, to be everything to everyone, I’m not “all there” with anyone.

Being present is about being there…by not being somewhere else. 

So to be present, it’s fair to say there are boundaries involved. 
When it comes to Christmas, being present with God is sucked away by schedules and material stuff and worry: the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful (Mark 4:19).
The Psalmist prays, Unite my heart to fear your name (Psalm 86:11). I wonder if I was on God’s mind when he penned this one…because at Christmas, my heart can be going in about 167,856 directions at once.

I’m just not all there with him.

So I’m pulling ideas together to help me/you hone in on being “all there” this Christmas, starting with our audience of One.
being present

Don’t do something.

To an already-packed schedule, Christmas can feel a bit like “more bricks, less straw.”

If your goal is being present in the ways that matter, cut out a few of the “have-to’s” that aren’t.

Could we do photo Christmas cards rather than hand-signed…or let go of cards altogether? Could I forego making frosted Christmas cookies if the kids really don’t care about it, or would probably fight the whole time? Do we have to have handmade gifts for teachers, or could we go with Starbucks cards?

Allow a little more margin for a peaceful, thoughtful state of mind rather than one rattled, and sprinting to keep up. Think Martha versus Mary here.

Pray that God will open your eyes to what entangles and distracts your heart from really soaking in the Christmas message this year—and that you’ll have the courage to cut it loose.

(…Or decline the call.)

Listen.

If you’re moved by music, spend a few dollars and a few extra minutes on iTunes for songs that will get worship rolling around in your head and your heart.

Download

an advent devotional, like this one from Desiring God.

Or if you’d like some more specific, personal questions, try Deeper: 12 (Printable) Journaling Ideas for a Christmas of the Soul.

Hijack your traditions.

Kids can learn being present with God, too. Consider an advent calendar that—alongside the ubiquitous sugar—leads your family closer to Jesus. I like this printable one from Faith Gateway.

Younger kids might enjoy making Jesus a birthday cake (cake mix! whipped cream! Keep this easy…) and singing “Happy Birthday” on Christmas.

Hone in.

Pick one name of Jesus (“Prince of Peace”) or verse (“I am the Lord’s servant; may it be to me as you have said”) or character from the Christmas story that sticks out. Or ask God to point out one.

Chew on that as you go through the season, and listen as God fleshes out its meaning.

Being present: In what ways does your heart worship?

Author Gary Thomas writes of the various ways we worship as individuals: through nature, restoring justice, through our intellect, etc.

Carve out time for the ways you worship, being present through a walk in the snow, a prayer time in the quiet of the Christmas tree lights, or shoveling a neighbor’s snow.

Ask Him.

You’ve heard the old warning: If the Devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.

This may seem like a “duh”—but consider a question like this one: God, I know how everyone else thinks I should spend my day today. How do you want me to spend it, to be faithful to you and love well? And Help me know how my holiday can be about increased worship and enjoyment of You.

 

Help me keep the main thing the main thing.

 

If you like these ideas on being present, grab 25 to Decorate Inside for the Holidays.

(I pulled these together for FamilyLife.com. It’s got even more specific ideas.)

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