But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made (Luke10:40).
Heavenly Father, what an irony it is, that in a season meant to remind us of Your great gift of love, we lose sight of You and become swallowed up by distractions, and chores, and endless activity. No wonder we become overwhelmed and exhausted, and spend our hours in "the grind" of obligation rather than in the joy of adoration!
O Lord, we pray for hearts that prepare You room, hearts that make You the center of the season, the center of our lives. Help us to hear You above the din, above the clamor, above the hustle and bustle. Help us to turn our eyes to Jesus—to set our hearts, (our affections) on things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1).
Father, we wear distraction and busyness like a badge of honor, nonchalantly identifying with Martha, not truly understanding the serious and devastating impact of our refusal to "Be still and know that [You are] God" (Psalm 46:10). Oh Lord, teach our hearts to exalt You.
Help us to honor and glorify You with our choices, our activities and our preoccupations.
Show us the areas of subtle compromise and worldly influence in our lives. Teach us to defy the consumerism, the sham, and the shallow preoccupations of the season. Teach us to walk in wisdom and in love, seeking opportunities to minister to others, and to serve them gladly.
Teach us to be very careful...how [we] live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil [Ephesians 5:15-16). Teach us to come to You, like Mary, in simple surrender, sitting at Your feet, in pursuit of the "one thing", the "better thing" that will not be taken away from us (Luke 10:42).
Let the true meaning of Christmas stay with us, so the light of peace, hope and joy does not burn out and plunge us into tiredness and deflation at the end of it all!
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
Refrain: O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang, Proclaiming Thy royal degree; But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth, And in great humility.
The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest In the shade of the forest tree; But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee.
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word, That should set Thy people free; But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn, They bore Thee to Calvary.
~ Emily E. Elliott ~ 1864
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