So it’s the day before Christmas. Our society wants us to run around like frantic people getting everything for everyone. Making sure everything is just right. Decorations, tree, presents, food, etc. As I re-read what I just wrote, something pops into my head. An actual story that occurred 30 or so years after Christ was born.
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
There are really a lot of ways this story could speak to us, and it doesn’t really come across as a Christmas story. But what I want to share with you is what Jesus said: “But one thing is necessary.” In this short little paragraph, that one phrase sticks out. In our minds, all the preparation, all the getting things together and being just right is important. And in some way it is, but it doesn’t compare to the necessity of sitting with Jesus and taking in the message, the ministry, the Word of God.
Yes, the dishes will get washed, the trash will make it out to where it goes, the things we feel need to happen probably will. Maybe not exactly the way we want them to, but they do.
Tonight is an opportunity to sit at His feet and take it all in. The Christmas Eve service celebrates Christ.
As the passage with Mary and Martha probably didn’t take place during Christmas, it’s a reminder that at any time we can be side tracked from taking Mary’s choice, “Sit, be still and know that I am God.” He has shown me how important it really is to sit at His feet and listen. Personal Bible study, church groups, Sunday church, worship, and how about “Alpha”? These are all things that God parts the waters of time for me to know He wants me to do them.
I pray that your Christmas Season is filled with Joy of knowing Christ and that we all make the choice to sit at His feet along the way.
Merry Christmas!
—Brian Rainey
