Mary of Bethany or Martha of Busyness?

Christmas is almost here!

We respond conflicted, “How exciting. . . . Oh my, so much left to do. Yow! I need to cook . . . , buy . . . , attend . . . fix. . . .”

Somehow, in this final stretch of celebrating the Prince of Peace, chaos so desperately wants to reign.

Take a deep breath and know two things. First, it will all get done, and if it doesn’t, life will go on just fine. Second, losing our focus is losing our Christmas joy. The account of two sisters brings this perfectly into frame.

But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand” (Luke 10:40).

Martha’s not lacking in her hospitality, but she is distracted.

This word in Greek means “to be drawn away.” Traction toward the goal has been lost. Literally, distraction ceases forward progress. The distractions have become central, while the Divine has become peripheral. The house needs to be cleaned and a meal prepared for Jesus. Therefore time can’t be spent with Jesus.

Even though this took place in Bethany, not Bethlehem, it highlights a common Christmas mistake. Good things draw us away from what is best. More than errands and tasks, are we spending time with Jesus? More than singing carols, are we worshipping with our lives? More than feeling the warmth of hot chocolate on a snowy evening, are we recognizing that God is the one who fills us through the work of the Holy Spirit who dwells inside the believer?

I’ll tell on myself as a pastor: more than preparing Christmas messages, am I moved by the message of Christmas?

It is a temptation for all of us to scurry around and miss the point. Distractions abound, fighting for our time and attention and, most of all, our hearts. Yet the distracted is the one who pays the highest price. Here, Martha is too forceful in telling Jesus what to do and too snippy with her younger sister for my liking. As a result, written in the Scripture for generations to see, Jesus corrects Martha and encourages Mary’s decision to sit at His feet, enjoying His presence. This moment is far better than checking the boxes on the to-do list. It has eternal consequences while finishing tasks is temporal.

Believe me, I know things need to be done. They multiply, and without putting first things first, the tasks may get completed, but your heart will be far from Him. This time of year is filled with tasks and engagements for all of us, but don’t miss Jesus at Christmas. The world is great at removing Jesus from anything Christmas, but the people of God must be different. For us, this isn’t a celebration of winter weather, cozy feelings, or 50 percent off sales. It is contemplation of God sending His Son to earth, followed by the celebration of Jesus coming to have a relationship with me! Contemplation, not distraction, leads to true celebration of Christmas.

So yes, only a few short weeks to Christmas? That’s a few more weeks of sitting at the feet of Jesus, choosing to walk in His peace instead of frantic action. Don’t allow distractions to captivate your heart. Contemplate the Savior in the Gospel of Luke so you can celebrate Him rightly. Then you’ll hold a candle at church and sing “Silent Night” surrounded by friends and family, astounded that the Savior has come.

Prayer

Jesus, I’m prone to distraction. Let me live these next two weeks focused on You so I’ll be ready to worship you wholeheartedly on Christmas morning.