Too Busy to Stop

I remember the time when there were big after Christmas sales. A lot of the items that were left over or did not sell well at Christmas were discounted so that the companies could get their cash outlay back, even if they did not make any profit.

Then a few years ago there were sales even before Christmas. Black Friday sales, Cyber Monday sales became a new thing to grab a bargain. Even the month before Christmas. Now it seems like these sales start at the beginning of November and go right through to the end of the month. Great for Christmas shopping but where will it end?

Ever seen the signs – “Closing down sale, everything must go!” – especially on some rug shops but the shop never seems to close???

Is it that we humans are so busy with our lives that we need certain signs to attract our attention? We need SALES that stand out for us to be interested.  We need SIGNS that stand out for us to be interested. The marketing Ttams have a field day and are kept very busy, all year long but especially at this time of year.

This made me reflect how easy it can be, to be too busy to stop and prepare for Christmas. For Jesus Coming. For the true meaning behind the season. I don’t see the sign outside the Church, or in the churches leaflets that invite me to the Carols, or to the Nativity Play.

I don’t see the signs or hear them asking for donations for the poor. I actually don’t even see the poor and needy. I’m too wrapped up in myself.

Or maybe you are one of the poor and needy and don’t have much hope right now.

This is a time where God reminds us to reach out to others. To those less fortunate than ourselves. (And there is always someone less fortunate than us.)

If we can’t give financially or give any donations of food items for Christmas hampers, we can pray for those in need.

We can give our homage and worship to the One who came, who Saved us.

We could give of our time to the “Food Kitchens” that need volunteers to cook or serve Christmas lunch for the homeless.

Whatever it could be….  do something.

Jesus invites us all to His birth – the Wise Kings with expensive gifts and the Poor Shepherds with just themselves. Accepted All by Jesus, no comparison.

What can you do?

May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’

Love

Rosemary

Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Do you feel too busy to stop sometimes? Is there something or someone who forces who to stop?

What do you think God is saying to you in this busy season?

What can you do to slow down so that you can hear God’s voice?

What can you do to serve others this Christmas?