It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Or is it? I haven’t started my Christmas cards or my shopping, and I’ve got strings of lights tangled so badly I’d rather throw them out than mess with them. Maybe the Grinch had the right idea about Christmas. I think I’ll go live in a cave on Mount Crumpit.

Does this sound familiar to you as you prepare for Christmas? Since many preparations fall on women, we often act more like Martha of the Bible than Mary, her sister. We get so wrapped up in the holiday chaos and expectations. That’s when we need to listen to Jesus’ wise words to Martha when she questioned him in frustration about her sister’s lack of household help. “‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41,42). 

There’s nothing wrong with having some Martha aspect to our lives. Christmas preparations and traditions can be a lot fun and be blessings to our families. But, when we start to feel all “kerbobbled” like Cindy Lou Who, we then should stop and take time to sit at the feet of our Master by being in the Word. The one thing needed. With renewed hearts, we can see more clearly the priorities of the season and simplify the demands we place on ourselves. Then we can have a Mary Christmas!