Do you see what I see?

Do you see what I see?  I'm doing some Advent readings from a book called Watch for the Light.  Yesterday in my readings the author suggested that we have smothered Christmas.  Do you see it?  I sure do.  I see stores full of gifts, busy calendars, and no mention of Christ at many times during this "holiday season".  How can we remove the clutter?  How I can "un smother" Christmas?

I have added Advent readings to my daily alone time.  I see God working in me to remind me that this season is about waiting, not about gifts and all of that.  I see that God's plan for Jesus includes us.  I heard someone mention today at a meeting that "it all started with the manger."  Really?  In all of my readings and my study, God has shown me that it is not true.  People were waiting to see what God had in store for them long before the manger.  The Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) is full of people waiting to see what God on Earth would look like.  That's what I'm looking to do when I un smother Christmas.  I want to see the light of Christ on Earth in you and in me.  

In my own life I see a tree without a star on top.  I see that I am blessed to be the mom of a crazy toddler who leaves me little time for things like putting the star on the tree.  I see boxes still out because I have a healthy pregnancy that is making me want to nest, but also so tired I can't get it done.  I see ladies that have asked me to lead a bible study and I see God speaking to me in that.

So this Christmas the sights are different.  It's not the lights or the tree or the perfect decorations for me.  It's the sights that show the light of Christ on this Earth all year.  They say that is the real reason we put Christmas lights on our trees.  It is to remind us that we are to bear Christ's light all year!