Joy in the Journey: Beauty in Simplicity

Hello Friends and Family! I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful season of thankfulness for all God has done throughout the past year and celebrating the great gift of His Son Jesus.

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year - all the Christmas family traditions and festivities to attend are so just so wonderful. However, this year with all of the preparations for our soon-coming baby on top of all of the Christmas preparations, I'm realizing it's all quite hectic. I'm struggling with the fact that sometimes all these preparations become more stressful than enjoyable. So is it worth the stress to keep up with the to-do list? It's quite easy to get caught up in all the busyness that I loose sight of the simple beauty of this season. Now that I have the "responsibility" of keeping the family traditions as a wife and a mom, I can't help but be amazed with how well my parents kept the simplicity of Christmas. I have many fond memories of setting up the Christmas tree as a family, decorating Christmas cookies together, and celebrating the holiday together, but somehow my mom and dad kept things calm, simple, and special throughout the Christmas season. One of my favorite traditions as a family happened each night in December when we'd turn off all the lights except for the ones on the Christmas tree, gather around the dining table lit with candles, and spend time reading an advent devotional together. So simple but so special.

Today I saw a lady in a busy rush - her head and whole posture was leaned forward, her arms swiftly moving at her side, and her legs walking so briskly she was almost jogging. I thought to myself, wow I bet I look like that most of the time (except now being 8 months pregnant I waddle a little bit haha). How easy it can be to be in a constant posture of busyness this time of year. My prayer is that the Lord would help me to instead be in a posture of peace. After all, that's what this season is all about, the Prince of Peace who brought true, deep, and everlasting peace to mankind. If I don't allow the Lord to help me have a posture of peace, I'll likely miss out on blessing others with the love and peace He wants me to share with them. I sincerely hope each of you (and myself) can take a step back in this busy season and let the peace of God just wash over you. Let us remember there is beauty in simplicity and peace in the presence of our Savior. Merry Christmas and God bless!