Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher

Pages Updated On:
11-Jun-2013 - 15:58:37
Links Engine 2.0 By: Gossamer Threads Inc.

Vol. 2007 Issue 12 ~ December

“What do you want to do for your birthday?”  I just asked my daughter this a couple weeks ago to gauge whether we’re doing pizza and video games or a day of girlie shopping with her cousins (or both!).  I asked her because I care about her.  I asked her because though I think I know her pretty well, she is growing and changing and she surprises me from time to time.  And I asked her because it’s her birthday and to show her honor, I want to celebrate her the way she wants to be celebrated.  (Plus, I think we would all like to be asked this question.)

So, Jesus, what do You want to do for your birthday this year?  I could send out Christmas cards to family and friends with a family picture and a list of what we’ve been up to.  Or I could go an extra step and use those cards to encourage someone and remind people of your love.  I could shop more than I can afford to, for people who don’t really need anything.  Or I could give some money away…redistribute your resources to those in need.  I could go to a bunch of work, friend and family parties, totally burning myself out.  Or I could protect my schedule and choose how to spend my already-too-little time wisely.  I could run myself ragged trying to please everybody under the sun with the perfect Christmas.  Or I could carve out time to breathe, to sit and ponder as Mary did, to just be still and remember what Your coming to this earth meant for me.  I could run through December hard, filling my calendar with too much, depleting my pocket book for temporary things, sleeping less and yelling more. 

Or I could decide right now that I’m taking this December slowly, that I’m going to help someone who needs helping, that I’m going to spend my time and money wisely as a gift to You, that I’m going to stop to dwell on the beauty of your sacrifice for me. 

What do You want for your birthday this year, Jesus?  I want to celebrate You in a way that truly shows I know You and wish to honor You.

Moms, let’s not miss Christmas this year.  Take time now to slow down…to pull out your calendar, to make some hard choices…to listen, to think, to quiet your soul.  And choose deep within to give Jesus a birthday that will be meaningful to Him and to you and your family.

Happy Holidays, ladies.

Ó Elisabeth K. Corcoran, 2007
Elisabeth Corcoran is the author of In Search of Calm: Renewal for a Mother’s Heart (2005) and Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom’s Weary Soul (2001).  She is wife to Kevin, and mom to Sara, 11, and Jack, 9.  Her passion is encouraging women and the Church, which she fulfills through serving in leadership on staff part-time at Christ Community Church – Blackberry Creek Campus in Aurora, Illinois, and writing and speaking as much as she can.  You can learn more about Elisabeth and her ministry at www.elisabethcorcoran.com. 

Submitted on : 1-Dec-2007