Okay, I'm putting it out there - this independent, strong and content and usually incredibly busy and happy woman...

This is the hardest time of the year for me to be single.  

It's the time when everyone wants the Norman Rockwell fantasy family.  And when you want someone to snuggle with on the couch while sipping a glass of wine or hot cocoa while staring dreamily at the lights on the Christmas tree.  

It's not about exchanging big fancy gifts... 

but sitting together in church and singing Christmas carols.  Holding hands and praying together as you celebrate the birth of your Savior.

It's about watching old Christmas movies, being with family and friends.. and sharing love and laughter.  

It's about falling asleep next to the one you love and feeling all warm and cozy just as you drift off to have sugarplums dance in your head.

But my couch is empty... and my bed is cold...

There's no special Christmas card, or eyes to gaze into... no one to corner under the mistletoe...

And while most of the time being single is fine and dandy and I don't equate marriage as the be-all end-all status to solve life's problems... and I know you can be just as lonely wearing a little gold band and having the houseful of kids and a dog and all the yada-yada that goes along with every two-hour sappy Christmas movie ever made...

it's especially hard this time of year.

Just sayin'...

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him:  and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

The wise men had been watching and waiting for Him.  They had been actively looking, scrutinizing the skies for signs, and when they saw the star they got up and pursued Him.  They travelled a specific path until they found Him they fell down and worshipped Him.  Only then did they open their treasures before Him and lay them at His feet.

On this third day of December, do you find your heart searching for Christ?  Or are you distracted with the tiring trimmings of hurried and harried holiday demands?  Is your mind and calendar already diverted from the path that seeks the Sacred?  Are you prematurely preoccupied with plans, pushed by people and poor from present purchases?  Already find yourself disenchanted, looking not so much for the Savior, but for the end of Christmas when all the madness will cease and you will be able to “get back to normal” (whatever that is)?

Weary one, drop everything now and fall down at the feet of Jesus.  Worship the Babe in the manger Who has come to give you life.  Let all else fade and focus on Him and Him alone.  Then, like the wise men, open your treasures to the Savior – your time, your talents, your day and all the intentions, arrangements and preparations therein.  Kneel and seek His face… seek His guidance… come to Him and He will give you rest as your priorities align with His will.  Seek first His kingdom, His righteousness… The well-worn phrase means so much more than just some seasonal saying on a bumper sticker in holiday gridlock – He really IS the reason for the season.  

Oh come, let us adore Him…refreshed and renewed and centered on the Savior.