Two years ago at Christmas, Curt and I were furiously trying to finish remodeling our home so that we could move in before the return of our Lord. It was absolutely the most stressful time of our marriage to date. There was not much holiday cheer in the little townhouse that we were so eager to vacate. We chose not to bother with decorating since we had enough to deal with between the house and a baby on the way.
Last year was going to be the most wonderful Christmas of all time. It was going to be one that we talked about for years to come. We had an adorable ten-month-old to add to all the joy of the season. It was his first Christmas, so we would need to document every little thing that happened and make everything as special as possible. We had a very cute house to decorate to our hearts’ content. And boy, did we. Looking back, I can see that I was putting, hmmmm, just a leetle bit of pressure on, well, everyone and everything for it to be nothing less than magical. It makes me tired just thinking about it. And, honestly, I made no room in my heart for the baby Jesus. No room at all. In fact, on Christmas Day I started a huge argument with my sister. Yep, it was me. I picked it. And it was a big one.
This year is going to be different. The name of the game is peace. Financial peace. Sisterly peace. Peace in our schedule. Peace inside my house. (With about half the decorations we have instead of it looking like I robbed Hobby Lobby.) Peace outside my house. (With about half the Christmas lights we had last year, when Curt channeled Clark Griswold). Peace in my expectations. Peace in my heart with God.
Peace is something I will fight for this year. I want to enjoy this Christmas without all the self-inflicted pressure, unreasonable expectations, and needless distractions. I need there to be room for the baby Jesus, who, incidentally, is our peace.
I think if Mary had given birth to Jesus in 2007, she might have gone on eBay and ordered some custom-painted letters that spelled out his name on the wall. She might have emailed a picture of his crib bedding to the artist so that she could make it all match. To spell P-R-I-N-C-E O-F P-E-A-C-E would have cost Mary an arm and a leg. She might have even hoped Joseph wouldn’t notice the $150 to PayPal on their bank statement. But those 13 letters are worth all the money in the world. They’re the most lavish, expensive, mind-blowing, life-changing present we could ever give or get.
Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
AMEN! Thank you for such a beautiful reminder in a time when the world seems to go in to a complete consumer frenzy. Thank God above for the most PRICELESS gift EVER!!
And laughing so hard at your “channeling Clark” comment–JOOOYYYY to THE WORLDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!! 🙂
God’s love & peace to you!
Rebecca
Amanda,
This is such a timely word. So much goes on at this time of year and peace isn’t usually what we most see and or choose. We are all facing situations that could easily rob us of our peace. I like what you said about fighting for peace. May we all seek the Prince of Peace this Christmas season.
Love,
Patty
It is so easy to get distracted. We do Christmas the way the world thinks we should do Christmas. We should all take time to pause and remember why He truly came.
Amanda! You are wise beyond your years. It is so easy to fall into the trap of huge expectations…especially when you want it to be perfect for your kids. Stick with your plan to keep it simple and real. I bet this will be the Christmas you will remember for years!
You & your mom are so good with words.I understand getting all wraped up with scaudles, decorations & family, gifts & so own & not putting JESUS where he should be.We all need to put JESUS frist for he is the reasion for CHRISTmas .Have a great CHRISTmas & outstanding new year.May each day be better than the other.Keep JOY in your hearts JESUS frist, others second, yourself last.God bless love sister in CHRIST victoria from NC
AJ,let me say I echo you’re thoughts 🙂 I even blogged on it about a week or so ago.Check it out http://www.abeth420.blogspot.com
I even have a “peace” ornament on my tree this year (in case I need a reminder)I’ll never forget when I got a true picture of the Prince of Peace from my pastor.It has drastically changed my life.
Also,i’ll never forget your mom’s story of peace too.In the video of her “living beyond yourself” study
we talk about peace as we go through the fruits of the Spirit.
I’ll never forget how your mom said “peace” was her favorite fruit.she said that of all the fruits it was the one she needed the most.In her typical excitable passionate expression she says “I just got to have peace !” You can see it in her eyes just how much she means it too.So,as the old expression says”like mother,like daughter”.
I hope you and your family have a blessed and peaceful christmas this year 🙂
I love you Amanda…. Thank you for sharing in such a real way… I’ve been trying to focus on the same things… Peace… Simplicity…and…retrieving my Joy that I let wane away. Prince of Peace should rule all we do all the time. (I have to keep repeating that to myself)… and your Momma taught me (for the third time) through a Woman’s Heart last night all about God’s consistency. Peace… consistent Prince of Peace.
I imagine your home is even more magical than ever….
Your grateful Siesta,
Dedra
He came to BE our peace, so we could BE peace to others. Thank you for your wonderful reminder – and challenge to all of us “supermoms” – to be a vessel of peace this Christmas.
Bless you!
Amen..just Amen !!!!!
Ive missed you on here bc your words and pics always make me smile! Thank you! 🙂
Amanda–
This is just what I needed to be reminded about today. I have been exactly where you have been a few times in my life. I have planned every detail of Christmas to be the perfect one–and instead everything goes wrong. I have learned and have to keep learning that the perfect Christmas is…Having Jesus Christ in the center of everything!! It doesn’t matter about the food the gifts if Christ is not honored and glorified with my heart and the motives of my heart. It is all about Him!! Thank you and I so appreciate your reminder to me about the perfect Christmas. May you and your family have the very best Christmas ever!
Love & Prayers
Kathy
Amen, my dear siesta!! me too! It seems that we have a few week spots where the enemy can create turmoil, doesn’t it?
Father in heaven, I pray for everyone reading this, I pray that we will make every effort to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas! I pray that we all prepare our hearts daily to receive freely from You and in return freely give. Giving our hearts to You to change and make pure, giving to others in the spirit of the One who gave His life for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Oh, Amanda, you and I have been having the same thoughts! It’s amazing how God knows what we need and how He gets the message to us! The last 3 Christmases have been awful for me! We have had one family tragedy after another either before or after Christmas all 3 years. This year, I am praying for PEACE and perhaps a little JOY! The only way it will happen is through the Prince of Peace!
Merry Christmas to you!
Peace… I’ve been hearing about that a lot today! Thanks. Something the Lord’s trying to get through to me, I think!
AMEN and AMEN!
His peace!!!
Love you all!
Dearest Amanda,
Your blog and heart are just precious, we are all capable of ruining the very thing we put so much ecpectation in. Remember this, time has a way of making even the arguments of Christmas a funny memory if we let forgiveness in as I know you have. My daughters love to talk about and laugh about the vacation from hell when they nearly killed each other. They tenderly love oneanother but it was a doozy of a time! God’s best to you and may peace fill your house and heart this season. Shalom
Isn’t it the truth? The more we plan and plan for a lavish, better-than-last-year’s celebration, we’re always let down by it all?
Now I expect the best and the most wonderful each time I meet with my Lord. His reign as the Prince of Peace never lets me down at the glory I encounter there.
I love this time of year, but I am learning to not put so much expectation on the people and traditions to make the celebration of the arrival of our King greater than ever. It’s when I stop and think of the situation of his whole birth scenario, I can truly celebrate and tell Christ I’m glad to celebrate his coming to earth to save me and glad to celebrate the day I let him into my heart and life. Now, come again, Lord!
I was going to call Jesus’ birth a simple plan…which in a way it was. But then I started thinking about all the complexities of the set-up…the years it took to put into place, to get to the point where it could be set into motion…the most important historical event of the world planned even before the world was created. Blows my mind that God would want to give up glory and peace and majesty in Heaven to come here and get dirty and die for me, so I could know his Heaven, too, one day. Amazing.
Merry Christmas, siestas!
Dear Amanda,
Thank you for your honesty and for the sweet reminder of what Christmas is truly about, our precious Lord Jesus. You are right, He is our peace; God’s gift to all who will recieve Him.
May our hearts stay focused on Jesus this Christmas and I pray we will know the peace that only He can give.
Hugs,
Mary
Amanda,
I loved this post…. We went to a Christmas party this Saturday, and the family that hosted the party had four Christmas trees, each beautifully decorated in a different theme. Every room in the house was decorated, snowmen, Santa Claus, and reindeer every where, but no Jesus… Even the bathroom was decorated; I have to tell you, I felt a little weird when I was in the bathroom with Frosty staring right at me!
I want my family to focus on Jesus. Thanks for the reminder!
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
Amanda,
I really needed to hear this today, I think we all get so caught up in Christmas and so streesed out we can all forget sometimes the true meaning. I am a single mom with 3 kids I have made it so stressful for myself making sure they get what they want. The story you told about how you wanted Christmas to be last year and all you were doing, I would have proberly picked more than one fight. I will be praying that Gods gives you peace in all the area you have ask for and also that God will give me peace in a lot or areas. I wish you a your family and the LPM staff a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS, I hope God Blesses each and everyone of you this year.
Love you all
Cindi
timely. always. He knows what we need to hear, and when we need to hear it (or read it). As I just raced home with exactly 63 minutes to accomplish what realistically would take 8 hours, with a hungry 4 yr old along…and the resulting stress of not even coming close to getting it done…I am lacking peace before I even begin! I will stand by you this year Amanda, I too will put aside all my expectations and frustrations and allow the Prince of Peace to come. Fully receiving the gift He brings…freely sharing that gift with those around me. I think I may only try to accomplish 63 minutes worth of stuff…before carpool pick up. Thank you my friend, for speaking the truth, always in love. Who would have imagined my cyber-girlfriends would have such an impact on my everyday! 🙂
Amanda, Thank you for being so REAL and honest. That is so refreshing…your posts always lighten my heart!
Hi Amanda,
Such a good word!! I say this as I’m thigh-high in plaster and joint compound. We’re trying to finish a kitchen project we started a year ago, in time for Christmas and my folks arrival from California. I’m a Texas transplant! 🙂 At the same time, I’m trying not to curse the people who owned our home before us for adhering wallpaper to sheetrock, and I am constantly in prayer to my Sweet Lord to not have hate in my heart! Whew!! Thankfully, He complies and keeps me in perfect peace. Hallelujah!! Thanks again. Too sweet, and very timely. Be Blessed, Sweet Girl!
Much love –
Monica
Yes indeed! I am in total agreement with you! I want to save the largest part of everything (my heart) this year for my sweet Jesus~
Thank you for the kind reminder!
((WOW))
I feel that so many times I just invite mr. snake into my life…by not making myself full of the Prince of Peace! ~
I really love you and everyone on the Siesta Blogging Network~ jan
Hi Amanda,
This is something my husband and I tried to teach our children as they were growing up. It was not the “norm” as they saw their friends families getting caught up voraciously with all the busyness and wrong focus of Christmas. Now that they are adults, they see the true meaning in the gifts they give not in the amount of money spent on the gift. As a parent, that means so much to me. I still find myself sometimes wanting to add “just a little more” on some Christmases but try to remind myself of the very things you wrote about.
Merry Christ filled Christmas!
Thank you for this blessed reminder of why Christ came: to be our Prince of Peace. I have been praying those verses from Colossians 3 over myself every morning for the past three months and as I have clothed myself with His garments, God has used them to create me as His new creation. God is GOOD!
“Peace”…a word that I need applied more and more in my life, the older I get.
Thanks for the reminder Amanda.
Blessings, Joanne
This has nothing to do with this post…just had to share it with you…made me think of you guys! Enjoy!!
‘Twas the night before Christmas, in Texas, you know.
Way out on the prairie, without any snow.
Asleep in their cabin, were Buddy and Sue,
A dreamin’ of Christmas, like me and you.
Not stockings, but boots, at the foot of their bed,
For this was Texas, what more need be said,
When all of a sudden, from out of the still night,
There came such a ruckus, it gave me a fright.
and I saw ‘cross the prairie, like a shot from a gun,
A loaded up buckboard, come on at a run,
The driver was “Geein” and “Hawin”, with a will,
The horses (not reindeer) he drove with such skill.
“Come on there Buck, Poncho, & Prince, to the right,
There’ll be plenty of travelin’ for you all tonight.”
The driver in Levi’s and a shirt that was red,
Had a ten-gallon Stetson on top of his head.
As he stepped from the buckboard, he was really a sight,
With his beard and moustache, so curly and white.
As he burst in the cabin, the children awoke,
and were so astonished, that neither one spoke.
and he filled up their boots with such presents galore,
That neither could think of a single thing more.
When Buddy recovered the use of his jaws,
He asked in a whisper, “Are you really Santa Claus?”
“Am I the real Santa? Well, what do you think?”
and he smiled as he gave a mysterious wink.
Then he leaped in his buckboard, and called back in his drawl,
“To all the children in Texas, Merry Christmas, Ya’ll”
Thank you Amanda. I did the Griswold decorating thing years before the movie was released. We still joke about it. It is so easy to get caught up in the “expectations” thing and to lose sight of our of King.
Come let us behold Him and adore Him, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords.
Annette
Amanda,
This was the perfect post for today for me. The Lord also showed me this week in such a mighty way I Peter 3:4 “Let it be the hidden woman of the heart, the (ever shining) ornament…of a meek and gentle spirit which is of great price in the sight of God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ORNAMENT (perfect for this season!!!!)He speaks to us through His word. Read it over and over, I love it when He shows out.
Amy in the Low Country of SC
When we first got married, we knocked ourselves out trying to make everyone happy, feeling like we had to visit both sides of the family (who lived in different states!). Every year since then, we’ve put less significance on visiting family and instead, concentrated on having “us” time. (Much less stressful that way.) However, just last night I realized that I was keeping God’s gift all for myself and alienating our extended family in the process. So, this year, my intention is to make a heartfelt effort to spend time with family and loved ones and extend to them the genuine and sacrificial love Christ showed us.
AMEN SISTER!!!!!!!!
So many “things” have gone to the wayside, because honestly they just aren’t important. Too much stress this time of year to ‘keep up with the Jones’ and NO, not you Amanda…honestly no pun intended. Just honesty and truthfulness with my sisters. I have had enough. This year has been one of huge heartache and deep valleys, but MORE IMPORTANT, AWSOME opportunities for God’s grace, healing,favor and joy and yes His peace to be bestowed upon my husband, myself and our kids. I still haven’t bought any gifts…I honestly don’t feel like buying. We all have exactly what we need. Our Baby Jesus can not be out bought. OK OK I don’t want to be scrooge. I Love to shop and give gifts AND receive them too. There is just something new and refreshing about this year that makes we want to not do anything that will take away from our real Christmas reason. Oh I am in prayer and my Father, please show this siesta what you want for our family and friends this Christmastime. I LOVE YOU so much. Siestas, I love you all and just really wish I could see your faces and give you all hugs, afterall that is what Sisters are supposed to do…that and grab a cup of coffee and talk for hours!!!
May you all be blessed. THank you Amanda for posting today…you are one of my blessings this day.
Kate from Charlottesville
We are doing things a bit differently this year as well. With my husband traveling for the next couple of weeks, ( a little work, a little hunting), I am throwing a Christmas party for all my “girlfriends”. We are going to make a donation to the “Heifer Project” in one another’s honor insteand of exchanging gifts. It takes the pressure off, while still giving us good reason to get together and celebrate the true gift of Christmas, Jesus, the One and Only. YSIC, Dori
Amanda,
I have been in those same shoes when my sons were much younger. I felt I had to go all out on the decorations and make every Christmas better than the one before. Then my sons got older and started doing their own thing and the past two years I didn’t even get out the tree to decorate. But this year I have recaptured that peace and joy that only comes from our Prince of Peace. I pulled out the decoration and only have my tree all decked out in my old ornaments and lots of candle and my nativity. Very simple this year because this year is the year of true peace and worship. Thank you so much for your blog reminding each of us of the Prince of Peace in all we do the season and throughout all the year.
Your siesta in Christ
Becky
Attalla, AL
Thanks you for giving voice to the same frustrations I have been feeling the last several Christmases.
Now if I could just figure out how to achieve peace with an unwilling extended family!
Honey, this entry resonated with me so deeply. I want that same Peace this year. A Peace that is a Person. I want Jesus all over my Christmas. His Christmas. Thank you for writing this. I needed it.
Mom
Amanda, thank you so much for such an important reminder! I just finished making Martha Washingtons candy and I am exhausted. I wonder how I would feel if I didn’t feel like I had to bake all this stuff for people and just sat down and played with my kids or spent some time with our sweet Savior? Thank you for reminding us to make room in our hearts for Him this time of year when everything else tries its best to push us over the edge. Love you sister!
I love those verses! They’ve been in my heart and head for months now. Just so happens, I found an old cassette series of Beth’s on ebay (which I won victoriously) and shot that money thru on paypal like nobody’s business. I’m feeling ya on the peace thing. It’s a big thing for me too. I almost crossed over into Grinchville until my son and a few good friends told me to get a grip! I went from “put Christ back into Christmas, will you!” to “I’m not playing in this commercialized game again this year- no presents for you and don’t buy me any!” Whew! Almost missed it, Amanda and siestas. It’s those who are “in Christ” that keep me in check. It’s those who are “of the world” that can throw me off balance. Jesus changed and changes everything! Let’s stay focused, shall we? I read this blog and the siestas here are head-over-heels in love with Jesus. Can we make a committment to each other to fill this Christmas with Christ? I’m zooming in. Please pray I won’t be naughty like Beth’s new camara and collapse back inward when someone presses my buttons too many times!
Love to the LPM & Bog Siestas!
Merry CHRISTmas!
Pam
Yes dear Amanda – a reminder we all need . . . bless you – thank you for your honesty!
Amen and Amen sweet Siesta! This comes on the heels of a conversation that I had with a colleague of my husband’s. He was going on about how he hated Christmas; how the commercialism and hype had ruined it and there was no real meaning anymore. It started me thinking about how that star shines no less dimly now than it did all those years ago. We just have to look a little harder for it, past all the “Griswold” displays and lit, blow-up yard decor. It’s up to us where our focus is and whether we allow the world’s version of Christmas to rob us of the peace and joy that arrived wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Thank you for a wonderful reminder!
Thank you dear sister. Your honesty gives me courage to be honest myself- to go before the throne and to check where I’m at with my “Christmas preparation.” The greatest gift of all is here, he is risen, he is real. It makes me want to do a dance! Peace it is! As I remember, the key to peace is authority- His authority over our lives- Peace Rules (Living beyond yourself). Thank you my sister and all of my siestas. May peace rule for each of us well into the new year!! Many blessings, love in Jesus, Kim in PA
AMEN!!!! These particular verses were the topic of our sermon on Sunday. Do you think God is trying to tell me something….twice in one week. God is good and He is full of peace (and forgiveness) for us. Praise the LORD!!!! Have a wonderful Christmas.
amanda-sitting here in construction dust. 🙂 told the kids i dreaded to get the Christmas bins from storage. didn’t want 1 more thing brought into this chaos.was pouting because the tree couldn’t go where i wanted. pathetic…i know. just wanted it in a finished house.
blessed-tho construction has been a bit…invasive & quite challenging.
sometimes it’s just HARD TO SEE the “blessing”.
… like when the shop vac gets used to suck up drywall dust off the floor & the filter was never put back in.
yaaah…you CAN’T SEE a whole lot of anything at that point. anyone ask for a white Christmas?
life can get so ridiculous a times all you can do is laugh!
we’re thankful for a home that’s dry and has an exterior that’s in tack(considering all who didn’t fair as well during our recent storm). please keep those in the Pacific NW in your prayers.
lovin life in Him-lisa
and yes-He is the Prince of PEACE!
Thank you for this wonderful reminder. I enjoyed reading it. I pray for sweet peace for you and your family this Christmas
“Peace in my expectations” – that is EXACTLY what I need. I am learning how to be content! That seems to be the theme that God has been repeating to me lately!! Thanks, Amanda.
Oh how very well said! Peace to each and every one of you!
Wow Amanda- what a great message and so needed today. Thank you for reminding us that its not what is seen by others but by the savior that is important. I am making your prayer my own this Christmas. Peace…. thanks for sharing. Love, Jules
Amen Amanda…. in 2003 at Christmas I was fighting for my life on morphine sicker than a dog… in 2005 I was still alive and totally healed… but we had a ton of debt, 6 figures worth! In 2006 my husband had no job, we were going to have to relocate and Christmas was so unsettling… now, in 2007- we are 100% debt free! We moved to a tinier house, we’ve had an OPEN HEAVEN since we’ve gotten here and there is room for Him, for His people and even more… in this heart of mine. And my husband has become my BOYFRIEND after 15 years of marriage once again! WAHOO! 🙂
When all is said and done and you’ve looked death and debt in the face and overcome… Jesus becomes so precious. He is a risen Savior that came as a little babe.. may we become like children this Christmas and take time to see what matters.. we never know what next year might hold.
You have a precious precious spirit Amanda and are so awesome to share your life with us.
Sandi Krakowski
You are wise beyond your years! This is the first Christmas that I can remember in my 30 years of married life that we are not going anywhere and not having out of town guests for Christmas. I put a limit on who I am buying for and what I’m paying. Instead I’m focusing on my husband (who always seems to get my leftovers), my elderly father (who would prefer time with me versus any gift) and our employees (most who don’t even know the Prince of Peace). Your words articulated what I’m feeling in my heart! Thank you!
Mama Beth,
I just have to give a shout out and let you know that we just finished “Wising Up”…we aren’t done wising up because we are going to keep getting us some wisdom! But I wanted to let you know how much the session on work impacted me. I am about to head there now…but real quick…I was just thinking about how amazing the mind is. I am physically tired tonight and I am going to go in and not whine and complain about how tired I am. I have been practicing this for weeks…just going in, working, and trying to show Christ by working hard and He even gives me opportunities to build relationships with customers and share about His goodness. Anyway, where I work there can be A LOT of DRAMA and you have no idea how that one simple principle has kept me focused to just work and try to be the best worker there. Just wanted to share that!
I just finished “Stepping Up” as well and I highly encourage anyone reading this to invite people to do that study. I start it with a group Jan 7th! CAN’T WAIT! It is going to be so good for people who don’t have a lot of time or are new to the word! Keep on Head Siesta! 🙂