Are you ready for Christmas?

Are you ready for Christmas?

Such a common question this time of year with an almost automatic response of "NO" from most.
Today, I was checking out with groceries and odds/ends at Wal-Mart and the cashier asked me this question. I replied with a funny look, I guess, because she then asked me, "Are you just ready for it to be over?"
That question hurt my heart. I immediately explained that shopping is not all finished because the crowds, to be honest, take the Christmas spirit right out of me. I explained that I LOVE this time of year and do not wish it away.

Then I was reminded of something I had heard in staff meeting this morning, "don't forget about people". The Lord really prompted me to dig into if she was ready for Christmas. Now, strange as it seems, there were a ton of cashiers ready and waiting on customers with very few lines at all. (Christmas miracle right there, I know!) Since there wasn't anyone behind me, Haley (the cashier) and I proceeded to chat. She explained that she was ready until she "just got 4 kids." I could have let it go and chalked up my confusion to nothing significant, but I asked her to unpack that for me. She went on to tell me that their mother just dropped them off with her, didn't want them, and 2 of the kids are currently in police custody because they were "messed with". With tears in my eyes and tears hers too, she went on to explain a little more. We talked for a few more minutes and I made sure to give her info on our Christmas services at church, told her that she and the kids would have a great time and might be just what they needed, and, as a customer came up and Haley began to end the conversation, I told her I would be praying for her and her family.

Now, don't think I am some sort of saint that goes around and has deep conversations all the time. To be honest with you, most of the time I don't talk. I get hyper-focused and I have had the tendency to become self-absorbed and "forget about people". Today, I changed that. I hope to see Haley again, and I hope to see her very soon to check in on her. God truly convicted me today of the many times I walk, drive, or look right past someone who is hurting and needs the healing that only He can bring. So, with this in mind, I read this in a Proverbs31 devotion this week and had to share.

May you not wish this season away or get so caught up in the commercialism that you forget about people or forget about the TRUE reason we celebrate.

The Manger of My Heart
This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven.

The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever.
You came as a baby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,
Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.

Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus’ birth,
when He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.
Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.
And angels announced, “Into your darkness, God brings His Light.”

“Do not be afraid,” they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call.
Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all.

Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice.
Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise.
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush.

This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Lord. It’s in Your wonderful Name I pray.

~Renee Swope, Proverbs31