Gladvent Week 1 – Warm Hands and Hearts

Warm Hands and Hearts (Heart Mug)

Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed. Luke 5:16

Warm Hands and Hearts – Luke 5:16

Christmas is busy! My husband and I were just discussing how the Christmas season has changed since we were kids. Now, it seems like Christmas starts trickling into mainstream America in the middle of October. It kicks in full force at the beginning of November and runs on solidly for two months. Even spreading it out, there is this pressure to “experience” ALL the Christmas things. To immerse ourselves in Christmas culture.

Overwhelming Christmas

From Hallmark movies to hot chocolate to mega-Christmas light displays, Christmas can feel overwhelming sometimes. And through it all, we are supposed to be peaceful, joyful, and calm. What?!?

However, with each passing year, I become more resolved to keep returning to the meaning of Christmas when I get pulled away. Drawn back to Jesus. The gift of God’s Son.

The Gift of God’s Son

This year, I started thinking about how I would accomplish that. I realized that if I am already running on empty by the time I get to December – constantly giving and doing like a hamster on a wheel, I will have no reserves to keep a peaceful focus on the Savior of the World.

So, I wondered what Jesus would do. And you know what, I found it in Luke 5:16:

Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed. Luke 5:16

A Conduit for the Gifts of God

We know that it is better to give than to receive. We also know that when we give freely, we are given more, becoming a conduit for God to bless others through us.

The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Withdraw Often

However, that does not mean that we are to run ourselves ragged, never taking time to recharge.

Jesus OFTEN withdrew to deserted places and prayed. He gave to many people: healing, forgiveness, and deliverance – food for the body and for the soul. But, He didn’t give constantly, He also spent time alone, just His Father and Him. OFTEN.

Warm our hearts and hands

Sometimes, we need to curl our hands around a mug of hot chocolate and sit at the feet of the Father. Let Him warm our hands and hearts, renewing our souls so we are ready to give the Reason for the Season to others.

When our hearts and hands are warmed, we become peaceful and joy-filled. We can stay Christ-like in long lines and hectic traffic. We can remain calm in the face of the tantrums of children. We can show love to our families instead of exhaustion and worry.

Action Step:

Today, start the Advent season by taking a few minutes to recharge. Pour yourself a mug of hot chocolate or coffee or tea and feel the warmth seep into your hands. Sit in the quiet (or with headphones on if you can’t find quiet) and relax in God’s presence.

Someone once said that prayer is communion with God. Spending time with Him. Jesus drew away by Himself OFTEN. He needed to recharge and so do we!

Let’s allow the Father to warm our hearts so we are ready to give to others!

Prayer:

Dear God, we can get carried away with all the busy-ness of Christmas. Help us to remember to spend some time relaxing in Your Presence. Warm our hearts and our hands to be able to give Your peace and joy with others. Let us share Jesus with the people around us this season! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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