Corrie Ten Boom said,

As we prepared a very large meal the other day, my daughter kept asking me to play air hockey and ping pong. “No, I have to cook.” “No, I’m so tired I need to sit a moment.”

I looked up and saw my husband and daughter having a great time and laughing and then I remembered what I decided would be my mantra for the holidays — that God tells us it is better to have a little food “with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife” (Proverbs 17:1.) (See Where is Silent Night )

How much is too much? When are we giving too many presents? When are we cooking too much food? By having too much of relatively unimportant things, I believe many of us are missing out on the priceless things — “knee” time with Jesus, devotional time with our kids, time studying God’s word, time playing with our children.

Busy, type A people like me — repeat this:

I do not have to do everything! I can not be perfect! I can be perfectly happy in Jesus. Godliness with contentment is great gain. I would rather have little with peace and quite than feasting with strife.

I’m always afraid I’ll miss giving my kids “the perfect gift.” The perfect gift has already been given. I must relax and introduce my children to “the perfect gift.” His name is Jesus.

Romans 6:22-24 (New International Version)

²²But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lord, let me be content with what you have given. Forgive me when I send the wrong message to my children for I know that things cannot make them happy. Let me show them that a daily walk with You is the greatest joy that can be had upon this earth. Let this CHRISTmas truly be more of Christ. I love you, my Jesus, and continually dedicate my life and all I do, including this blog, to the work of your kingdom. Your words never come back void! May we as Christians spread Your Word around the globe until your return. I love you with all of my heart. Amen.