“…but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:42 NIV

December is packed full with celebrations, shopping, baking, and memory making.  I love every minute of it.  But, as I pour myself out, I find the Martha in me sneaking out to let everyone know how hard I’m working to make Christmas amazing.  Who needs the Grinch when mom is tired?

Yesterday, I shared how my dreams of a (different) Martha inspired home collided with my real life.  I have come to realize that a home that sparkles Christmas does not necessarily mean the true Spirit of Christmas resides there. It is easy  to get so distracted with the celebrating of Christmas, that you miss it entirely.  {And by YOU, I mean ME!}

To have a Mary heart,  I must be purposeful to spend time with Him, especially during the Christmas season. It seems to me that I need my Chair Time more now, than any other time of the year. I need more time to read, pray, and to reflect on who He is:

• Emanuel.
• Dayspring.
• Savior.
• Star of David.

It is He who waits each morning for me by my Christmas tree. He longs to spend time with me and give me a Mary heart, His heart.  How can I not show up?

I recently discovered the most precious Christmas devotion book called Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room, by Nancy Guthrie. I will spend the next two Wednesdays featuring it and talking about how we can prepare our hearts for Christmas. To download excerpts from the book, click here.  You can also order it here.  It costs less than $10 and would make a great teacher gift or stocking stuffer. Be sure to stop next Wednesday, and you might just win a copy!