Create for Yourself A Christmas Room
Only the mother may pass.
Behind the door of Jayme’s room (still hers in our hearts, even though she has a man and a mortgage now) lie growing mounds of Christmas treasures. Nondescript paper grocery sacks carry only a name on the outside but hand-picked stocking stuffers on the inside.
On the floor in the closet are a few folded, college-ruled papers that hold my nice list. (Not a naughty in the whole lot.) After my covert ops into town, I slip stealthily into the gift room and disperse the latest gifts.
Cross them off the list.
This is a work I do alone every December –pouring over the names and the wish lists, stashing surprises, and organizing delightful gifts we only splurge on once a year.
But that is only one of my two secret Christmas rooms.
The other is a place I slip into by myself as well, but in this room the names are on note cards tucked into a plain paper mache box. So many names, and this Christmas I am pouring over each one with secret prayer.
Sick people. Friends making decisions. Lost souls for whom I am fighting. Missionaries. Church family. Impossible requests that I’m just sure God is going to take care of quite nicely. Mental struggles. Emotional turmoil. Brothers in Christ overseas. Children. Parents. Grieving hearts. Empty pocketbooks. Hearts that need growing.
For all the time I spend on my knees in front of paper sacks, doling out sweet treats and wish list fulfillment, I spend a much longer, more precious time on my knees in front of the Father.
Praying for this one and that one. Attending to the details of so many hearts and lives.
Jesus says:
When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 NIV)
Go into your room, mothers.
Go into your room during the Christmas season, and do the secret work of tending to names. This is a meaningful, lasting, world-altering gift you give.
You have an amazing talent in writing and getting in touch with the readers. I was thinking it would be nice to have a small book/booklet to put in down to earth terms to new (and old) Christians who feel daunted reading the bible. Sort of a how to read the bible with out feeling overwhelmed and confused. How to take it one step at a time and actually get excited to read.. I think you would be really good at reaching them and helping them “dig in” and be excited not afraid. Just a thought.
Thanks,
Carol
You’re very kind. I’ll chew on that idea.
I held each Christmas card in my hands and prayed for the each recipient this year; it was so much more meaningful than just sticking labels on them and sending them out. It was such a blessing to be able to think about what each family might be needing right now and share that with Jesus.
I love that! What a great investment of time.
Thanks for the encouraging word. The father does hear our prayers. We need to get to our prayer closets all year round.