Chestnut Ridge Church
The holidays are coming. What’s supposed to be a season of joy and celebration, often is not. We find ourselves distracted by preparations, overwhelmed by expectations, or depressed by our own circumstances. Let’s learn how we can make the holidays enjoyable and meaningful!
We’ll discover how to take a biblical approach to the holidays, and explore how we can be present, keep calm, and survive the season.
Today's Music
Live Again, Worthy of Your Name, Death Was Arrested
Keep Calm & Say No—Josh Rhodes
Problem: We miss time with Jesus during the holiday season because we overcommit, overdo it, and overspend.
Solution: Give yourself permission to say no to anything that might keep you from being with Jesus this holiday season.
I am...
• Exhausted
• Distracted
• Stressed
I am...
• Rested
• Present
• Calm
Luke 10:38-42 HCSB
Luke 10:38 HCSB
Luke 10:39 HCSB
Mary of Bethany
• Luke 10:38-42
• John 11:1-44
• John 12:1-8
“People normally sat on chairs or, at banquets, reclined on couches; but disciples sat at the feet of their teachers. Mary’s posture and eagerness to absorb Jesus’ teaching at the expense of a more traditional womanly role would have shocked most Jewish men.” –C. S. Keener, The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament
Luke 10:40 HCSB
Luke 10:41 HCSB
This time of year we’re asked to do “many things.”
What are your “many things” going to be?
The first way to Keep Calm this holiday season is to give yourself permission to say no to some of the many things so you don’t miss the one thing that is truly necessary—Jesus.
“The need to establish boundaries is a mathematical necessity. With far too many demands and expectations upon us, we could not possibly fulfill them all even should we desire to do so. We, then, must respond with grace, with sensitivity, yet with firmness: “I’m sorry, but I can’t.” To be able to say no without guilt is to be freed from one of the biggest monsters in our overburdened lives. If we decline, not out of self-serving laziness but for God-honoring balance and health, then this level of control will not only protect our emotional margin but will actually increase it.” –Margin by Richard A. Swenson, M.D.
This is what Mary did and Jesus said she made the right choice:
• Luke 10:39 Mary sat at the Lord’s feet
• John 11:32 Mary fell at His feet
• John 12:3 Mary anointed Jesus’ feet
The More I Seek You
I want to sit at Your feet
Drink from the cup in Your hand
Lay back against You and breathe,
feel Your heartbeat
This love is so deep,
it's more than I can stand
I melt in Your peace,
it's overwhelming