Pour Some Perspective

Come on in! I’ll clear my couch of dogs and blankets, then I’ll fill your mug with coffee- or would you prefer tea? Next, let’s pour some Christmas perspective as we sit and chat and prepare ourselves for the Christmas season…

In 2011, Time Magazine reported that Americans spent 6 Billion dollars on Christmas decor. Statista (a website that pulls research from 18,000 sources), reports that the average American spent $830 on gifts last year. This site also reports that 15.4% of retailers begin holiday promotions on October 1.

The financial expectation our culture loads on us is enormous. Huge. Then, there is the time cost and the emotional toll the holidays heap on many of us. The pressure to spend and give and do-do-do is incalculable.

Oh and the eating opportunities…

Don’t get me wrong, I love it all- in moderation. I find it imperative to begin the season by putting on my “perspective glasses” and when they fall off, I put them on again. I confess that I overspend most years. I do too much, eat too much and I get run down. I struggle to find balance in this culture of more, more, more.

My perspective glasses lead me to see The Source of this season: Jesus.

As I take the time to read His word, be still and ponder the miracle of Christmas, the Holiday Heap slides off my shoulders and the peace enters in. The Prince of Peace fills my soul and fills me with His perspective. I linger with Him and know there is nowhere else I’d rather be.

As this Christmas-time gets into high gear, I will daily put on these glasses. I will ask the Prince of Peace to fill me with His view on the season.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

And you? What is your aim during the Christmas Crazies?

What does He want from you this holiday time? Where will you go when cultural expectations and your own expectations become heavy burdens when tempted to do-do-do instead of sitting in stillness? Join me in picking up our perspective glasses. Let’s look to our Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.

Thanks for chatting with me. A cup of perspective and a sweet friend are the perfect way to start this lovely, December day.