In my day, a time out required sitting in a corner, facing the wall and thinking about the naughty thing I had done. It followed my bad behavior and a spanking.  It wasn’t really called a time out.  It was referred to as discipline.

Today might be a good day for all of us to take time out – to sit and contemplate .  Why do we make such a big deal about our anticipation of Christmas?  Is it about the gatherings that take place, the special church services and concerts, the calorie laden goodies we prepare and all the gifts?

Eyes need to close, bodies should relax and busyness put on hold.  This season of Advent is a time of preparation – getting ready for our Savior to come and live among us.  He did it on that first Christmas and He will come again.  So we prepare our hearts for Him – look forward with great excitement – lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving.

We should really think of all the naughty things we’ve done – big and small – and the punishment we truly deserve for those things.  There have been consequences to bad behavior since the beginning of time.  The wages of sin is death.

We’d much rather put our focus on the things that make us happy – the festivities, the banquets, the rejoining of families, good stuff.  It is all about us – right?  Why should we think about sin?

The good news is that sins have already been paid for in full.  We’ll never  die, because Jesus has conquered death and provided eternal life.  No matter how ugly the world is, how much things get under our skin – frustration, anger, time management, anxiety, and having it all together play constantly on our minds – we can take time out to reflect on what has been accomplished by our Creator.  We are loved, cared for, have a brother who will do anything for us  including giving His life for us.

With repentant hearts, let’s approach the manger with peaceful hearts and thank God for the greatest gift  ever

Be still and know that He is GOD!.