"Do We Think That is Tacky?"

My neighbors put up enough Christmas lights to light up the entire Galloway Forest. Complete with the countdown to Christmas (20 days, 1 hour, 35 minutes and 15 seconds... I kid you not, it is that specific)! As Luke picked me up last night, he said to me, "Do we think that is tacky?" I laughed because some people are nuts with their enthusiasm about holidays. I am all for lights, don't get me wrong. But when you have so many lights that Rudolf's nose is sniffing baby Jesus... you need more to do with your life.

I wonder sometimes if spend so much of our time wrapped up in Christmas lights and decorating that we forget to spend time being the light! Jesus said, "Let your light shine before all men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)."

Hmm... good deeds. It's odd to me that in Christian circles "good deeds" have developed a bad reputation. It's true that for some, they've become a stumbling block to understanding the true gospel: that it is NOT by works (good deeds) that you have been saved, but the gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9)!

But after that... after we are saved by grace through faith... there is a calling! A calling to holiness and a calling to be like Christ! And every calling demands a response. The calling? "Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven!" What is your response?

Warning: Too much light may make some think you are tacky and may cause rejection from judgmental neighbors (John 15:18-20). But Jesus is worth the cost.

All the Tinsel and Lights Make the Holidays Bright... but the Real Gift is You!

Friday night I had the wonderful opportunity to host and attend the "Snowball!" A Christmas dance party for all of the Cru students around the Charlotte area, complete with yummy Christmas cookies and a photo booth (How cute is that picture of Luke and I??)! We had a blast with the 65+ students welcoming in the season of Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus with dancing and quality fellowship!

Not only do I love Christmas parties, I also enjoy the smell of evergreens, the beauty of Christmas lights, and the taste of gingerbread lattes! A Christmas in Charlotte, North Carolina is full of all of these! Unfortunately, it can also full of distraction and busyness.

Yesterday, Pastor Stephen from my church, Elevation, challenged us to make a declaration and commitment for this advent season:

"I won't get lost in lesser things... I will make the most of Jesus."

Martha was so distracted by "lesser things"... the preparations and the hard work... that she missed out on the whole reason for the party in the first place (Luke 10:10)! She had invited the guests, but was too busy preparing the meal to enjoy time with them.

I don't want to miss out on spending time at the feet of the One who is the reason for this season! Whether that looks like worshiping God by a lighted evergreen tree, drinking a gingerbread latte while reading the Christmas story, or spending time dancing with college students... I choose to not only invite Jesus into my home and heart, but also enjoy his presence this Christmas!