I could not have asked to wrap up the year any differently. Spending time with my family these past few weeks has been the glittery bow on top of the biggest present! We maintained family traditions - the tree went up the day after Thanksgiving and the festivities began. The Christina Aguilera Christmas playlist came out, the house (along with my belly) was filled with chex-mix, and the family got to gather in chaos. However, my favorite family tradition of all would be the Christmas Eve service at church. My family and I attend Church of the Highlands every year and I have to say this year's message was exactly what I needed to hear as I enter the new year!
Christmas Eve started out with our traditional family dinner and we finished that up with a delicious desert made by my sweet mother. Dressed in our festive attire, looking merry and bright, all five of us hit the road for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ - typically consisting of Christmas songs, the "Christmas Story", and the lighting of candles as we sing "Silent Night". And yes - that's exactly how the night went; yet the message from Pastor Chris reached a significant level for me.
"What is the center of your life?" Paster Chris asked this question as he displayed the view of the nativity scene - and it all clicked in my head. Each year, many families setup this decorative display throughout their homes, and each family typically sets it up the same way. In the middle you have Baby Jesus, and as he lay in the manager, he is surrounded by his mother and father, the wisemen, the shepherds with their sheep, and the other animals that were occupying the stable that holy night. What if this scene was set up differently though...?
Pastor Chris showed the church how different parts of the nativity could represent different things. for example the shepherds were at the time working when they got the news from the angel, therefore, the shepherds could be a representation of your job. Is your job the center of your life? Or the wisemen, with their gifts and glory could be a representation of fame and wealth. Is your fame and wealth the center of your life? Or Mary and Joseph could be a representation of your family. Is your family the center of your life?
While all of these things are amazing and important parts in your life, the only thing that should still hold center is the Holy Father as the center is the only thing that can touch all points of your life! I believe that you should let your spirit ground everything you do in life and what better way than placing it in the center where it can touch all!
This christmas message really brought it all together for me. I find myself throughout the year placing things on a high pedestal such as my job, designs, major, family, and relationships with friends. Although all these things are great and they should be in your life, they would be even better when they are grounded with The Lord. I am so thankful for the chance to listen to Pastor Chris last night for he has given me the fresh look on life and I can't wait to start changes for the NEW YEAR! I wonder what my resolutions might be!
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.