Janelle Esker Are you longing for a Silent Night? Calm and bright? How about sleeping in heavenly peace? I believe this to be the longing of every mother during the Advent and Christmas season. Life can get so full of good things to do and participate in. The key to finding peace during this holy season is to slow down and spend time with the Savior.
The great thing is, that for the most part, you get to choose how you would like your family’s Christmas season to go. Yes, it is about choices but it is mostly about priorities.
As a young mom of three children (the other three were not born yet) I wanted to make Christmas perfect for my family. What actually transpired was burnt Christmas dinner three years in a row! I would end up overwhelmed, sick, and tired every year! My husband and I had not yet formalized our priorities. We knew and believed that Jesus is the reason for the season however, we had not yet understood that packing your schedule with good and sometimes even godly things can smother authentic spiritual growth.
3 Questions to Ask Yourself
- What is your top priority this Christmas?
- Are there special needs within the family or extended family that need to be considered?
- What does a realistic and Christ-centered Christmas schedule actually look like for your family this year?
These questions discussed with my husband have helped us make healthy decisions for our family. I will warn you though, in order to focus on having a few Silent Nights you will have to eliminate events and even family traditions that no longer fit within your priorities. Of course, you will receive pushback so make sure you are clear about setting up boundaries to protect your values.
Are You Longing For A Silent Night?
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Silent Night, written by Joseph Mohr in 1916, is a continual inspiration to me. Its beautiful lyrics deposit the gospel. Is the song outdated? It seems to me that it is a call to slow down and make the season holy again. It is more relevant than ever!
As a Mom of six, I have found that worship can be exciting and fun and, most importantly, has the power to transform our children’s hearts. True worship woos the souls of all ages. It’s worth the time to ponder the song and see if you can incorporate even just one quality from this epic song this Christmas.
Go Deeper…
Christ-Centered Christmas Crafts For Kids
28 Christ-Centered Family Christmas Books
Christ-Centered Slow Living Christmas To-Do List
5 Ways To Have A Christ-Centered Christmas
Teaching Kids The Real Meaning Of Christmas
YOUR TURN…
What does a worshipful silent night look like for you?
Peacefully Yours,
Janelle
