The Simple Way

Thoreau said, Our lives are frittered away by detail…simplify, simplify.

As soon as the calendar flips to December and the Advent season arrives, our thoughts turn to Christmas gifts, gatherings, and celebrations. I wonder how many of us are already making things complicated.  Christmas has become so stressful as we try to entertain, buy gifts, cook, etc., that it makes me wonder why we don’t just keep it simple.

My mind goes back to the Christmas story.  It all took place in a simple time, in a simple stable, with a simple carpenter and his wife, simple shepherds, simple animals, a simple inn keeper, beautiful angels, three wise men, three gifts, and the Christ child.

The word “road” can mean the same as the word,”way”.  The road Joseph and Mary took to Bethlehem was the simple road which shows the simple way to the Christmas miracle.

During this Christmas season, I am trying not to miss the simple ways to celebrate Christ’s birth.  Wouldn’t it be a wonderful gift to all humanity if Jesus became a word that was used all through our society not only during Christmas but everyday?  If we could make Jesus the ordinary word on the street what a difference we would see!

We can make that happen if we concentrate on hearing the simple ways God would have us to hear the news of Jesus’ birth.  Take time to listen to the words of the Christmas hymns, the words of the carols, the Christmas story, and the words of joy around you.  Jesus speaks when we listen.

We can make it happen if we see the simple ways that we can help others by giving, not only monetarily,  but with our hearts.  Put God’s will first.

We can make it happen if we keep these simple ways sacred.  Try to take 5 minutes a day to be silent and pray for peace, hope, joy and love.  Follow Him and live a simple life in confidence.

The simple way isn’t complicated.  Love came down at Christmas.  It’s that simple.