A Song for the Season

I must admit, it hasn't begun to look alot like Christmas around my house yet.  Oh, we've put up a tree, and I made some peppernuts and chocolate mice this week, but otherwise, I feel like I've hardly had a chance to stop and think about Advent and celebrating the birth of Jesus. 

We had a discussion at life group a couple of weeks ago about how stressful and hectic this time of year is:  how we know presents aren't the important part of the season, but how they seem to be expected, so we feel obligated to give them...obligated to bake the cookies, travel to visit family and friends, go to the holiday parties, etc. etc. etc.  As I thought about how my last few weeks had gone, I remembered all of the sadness and hardships many of my friends are going through, the long days for both Nate and I at work, family concerns...and I had to admit I've been feeling the squeeze of the season as well.  So far my Advent hasn't been a joyous celebration of anticipation, but an emotional rollercoater.  Then we bowed our heads to say a prayer, and during that prayer a wonderful hymn popped into my head.  As I reflected on the words, I realized just how perfect the song was for this busy season, and how it was exactly the right message I needed to hear.  The song goes something like this...

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of this glory and a grace.

As I sat there, head bowed, and listed to that song run through my mind a sense of peace swept over me.  As I "turned my eyes upon Jesus" and thought about my savior, all of the earthly concerns DID fade into the background, and I realized once again how insignificant the things I worry and fret over really are.  It was a reality check; a reminder of where my priorities should be...not just this season but every day of the year.  It was convicting, comforting, and it made me smile.

Helen H. Lemmel's "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" has become my theme song for the season this year.  The beautiful simplicity of the refrain is a perfect reminder of what truly matters, and what Christmas is really all about.

So, when you're feeling the squeeze in the next couple of weeks, I encourage you to reflect on the words of this song.  Let them sink in.  Let us throw off all of the holiday bustle, the presents, the goodies, the temptations..."everything that hinders us, and the sin that so easily entangles us...  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God", giving mankind the only gift any one of us will ever really NEED.  Grace.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.