Jesus is born!

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ( Philippians 4:11 )

In the craziness of the times both then and now, great events like this take precedence over almost everything else.

Christmas means, more than anything, taking stock and putting things in perspective. How do we do that?  Well, I think it's a bit like cleaning house, maybe. There are nooks and crannies unclean and ignored that simply have to be faced and taken care of. At this time of year, our lives seem to be focused on the event that changed the world and it can be a time to change our worlds as well.

I am the least organized person I know. What it takes to keep me focused on "cleaning house" (and I mean way more than running the vacuum) is hard for me. It takes making a list every day and knowing beforehand that many of those things won't be done THAT DAY. But, as Paul says: "For I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be content."  Philippians 4:11. 

Many times in my life, that verse has literally saved me. Other times, I think I use it as an excuse.

There are times that being content just doesn't make sense. Being content with "that's just the way it is" at Christmastime doesn't make sense. Maybe the best gift of all would be to see things more clearly and focus on making it a time more fitting our Savior, Jesus. If we can do this, we can be satisfied and thankful with what we need, not what we have or want.

Virginia Whittington