Christmas is Coming!
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For those of us who live and worship in the western church, this Sunday marks the first day of the Advent Season. The season is comprised of four Sundays before Christmas. The word “advent” is from Latin adventus “coming.”
Christmas is coming! And is coming again! I have looked at this advent season with very little interest until recently. Maybe because it’s become more popular or acceptable to practice within my church circle, or perhaps it’s spotlighted on so many of my social media outlets makes me more aware. Either way, it’s got me to thinking about how I do this season. At this moment, I’m sitting with a partially decorated house. The tree is beautifully trimmed. Most of my nativities are out. (I have a collection of nativities – didn’t mean to start one but it happened, and I love them.)
I have a list of things to complete. I have piles of papers to file and yearend bookkeeping to finish. I have ministry arrangements and fundraising to achieve for 2019. I have meetings to coordinate, social media posts to arrange, women to contact, food to cook and bake, shopping to be done, gifts to wrap and gifts to mail. I even started a couple of household DIY projects – don’t ask me why I started them right before Thanksgiving but I DID and now they are looming and calling me to finish! Did I mention I have at least one party at my house and two out of town day trips to make? UGH! So how in the world do I celebrate the advent with all of this going on? How do I address the coming of Christmas? I shared last week concerning how I grew up, and I believe because I wanted to create a different story for own my family, I have placed pressure on myself. Self-imposed pressure. This morning while pouring my second cup of coffee a thought occurred to me, “You know you felt this way last year too.” “You completed the important, and the rest was there in the New Year. Rest. Be glad. Celebrate. The Lord will help you. You need only ask.” I sat down and read my Bible. The answer to my question found in HIS word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” He is with us during this season! Ministry life can be crazy busy all the time, but this time of year it can be nuts!
Remember Christ has come, and is coming again!
Blessed Advent Season and Merry Christmas!
AND when you can join us at a Refresh Retreat. Check below at our new dates for 2019. We would love to encourage you and give you a place to rest with other like-minded women.
We would love to hear your thoughts. Post here. If you need a listening ear – please contact me – I’m here. A safe place. Have a blessed weekend.
Loving and Praying for you!
Diane Nix is the director and founder of Contagious Joy. She and her professor/pastor husband, Dr. Preston Nix, have served in ministry for 35 years August 2018. She speaks and teaches whenever the Lord gives her opportunity. Diane has two miracle birth girls – Rebekah 23 married to Will & Rachel 20. Two spiritual daughters – Kasia 37 married to Robby, who pastors in Beaumont, Texas & Courtney (35) who is finishing up a Ph.D. Kasia & Robby have two beautiful children Samuel (3) & Jailee (2) and Diane is Mama Di to these precious ones.
You can check out Contagiousjoy4him & Diane’s statement of faith here. We Believe. You can check out Diane’s speaking topics here and her schedule here.
Excited to share about our upcoming “Empower” Retreat @ Billy Graham Training Center – The Cove. Check it out. Scroll down to check out our Featured Speakers!
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