11 DECEMBER 2023

 

Simplicity

“Come to Me, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

A few years back I came across an article discussing ways in which Christmas can be stressful for people. Financial and time pressures, loneliness, family tensions, loss of a loved one, separation, divorce, and becoming a “blended family” were identified as things which prevent Christmas from being a time of joy and celebration for many.

The article also had some practical tips on relieving Christmas stress:

- Budget for Christmas and try saving money toward it during the year. (For some of us this advice might be coming a little late in the year!)

- Families that do something together after lunch such as a game of backyard cricket are less likely to end up arguing. (The person who wrote this piece of advice has obviously never played cricket at my place!)

Do you find Christmas stressful?

Do you wish it could be simpler?

If your answer is yes, then Mary’s Song in Luke 1:51-55 will point you in the right direction. As she continues her song in praise of God, she turns her focus to the proud and the poor. The proud will be “brought down” (v52) but the poor and hungry will be lifted up and fed (vv52-53).

It’s a stunning reversal of fortunes, brought about by God through the ministry of the Saviour and a sobering reminder of what’s important in life – people.

Mary’s song is also a call to simplicity.

Stress – whether at Christmas or anytime – is the result of too much complexity in our lives.

Simplicity calls us to focus on the essential.

Stress pulls us in multiple directions – simplicity unifies our spirit.

Stress clutters our lives – simplicity brings order to our private world.

Can you hear simplicity calling out to you as you read this?

Listen to her voice!

Read Matthew 11:28-30. What does rest – simplicity – look like for you this Christmas?