I've Lost The Joy of Christmas: Time

Introduction

Like I said last week, this year I’ve decided to approach Christmas a little differently.

Instead of focusing on the usual joys surrounding the birth of Jesus, I want to address a struggle many of us face: the feeling that we’ve lost the joy of Christmas. This week we will be discussing Time and how we use it.

The Time We Spend

How much time do we spend on the Holidays.

For some of use this is a busy time of year.

For some of you which game is on, is the highlight.

But for some of you you get so busy on the Holidays that you wonder “how much longer till this is over”.

You are still coming off the Hallelujah Harvest festival for Halloween, and then there is all the holidays and preparations in November, thanks giving being the big one. And now it is Christmas

The Average person spends 3.5 hours shopping for food just For Christmas day.

The Average Person spends something like 7 hours shopping for presents, and that is in the online era. Some of you are old school and still go to shops and that means travel time.

Wrapping gifts takes what another hour

Cleaning time for your guest to see your house

tree shopping

Getting the lights out

Watching Christmas movies

Cooking time

And Don’t forget travel time

Some of you will Drive

Some of you will Fly

Some of you will open your home

But what you do know is that will be time consuming. If your prepping for guest of travel you have to prep.

The Holiday Season demands so much of our time, often pulling us in multiple directions.

Some of us feel like we're on autopilot, just checking off to-do lists rather than soaking in the significance of the season.

Think about the time we spend on holiday prep: shopping, cooking, decorating, traveling—it all adds up to hours, even days, invested in getting everything just "right."

But is all this preparation robbing us of the peace and joy we're actually hoping to find?

Psalm 46:10 LEB

10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God" In the midst of all this, God calls us to stillness.

This reminds us to pause and realign ourselves with Him. The Father of all creation. The one who is life.

This verse is more than an invitation to rest—it’s a command to remember who God is and to let go of our need to control every detail.

The very heart of the seasons is the Sabbath which is a time to cease. To Be still.

When we forget to be still, we lose sight of the true joy of Christmas.

Mary and Martha: Choosing "The Better Part"

Luke 10:38-42

Luke 10:38–42 CSB

38 While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” 41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”

In Luke 10:38-42, we see a powerful example in the story of Mary and Martha.

When Jesus visits their home, Martha is busy with preparations, anxious to make everything perfect. Mary, on the other hand, chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen. When Martha complains, Jesus tells her that Mary has "chosen the better part."

Sometimes, we are like Martha—overwhelmed by the tasks that seem essential. But Jesus is inviting us to be like Mary, to focus on what matters most: being present with Him.

We all want to be like Mary when it is time to be like Mary, But can we accomplish it.

If Christmas becomes only about what we accomplish, we risk missing the wonder of Christ's presence among us.

The gift of Christmas is that Jesus came to be with us. But if we’re too busy, we might just miss that altogether.

Steps to Recapture the Joy of Christmas

Prioritize Stillness Set aside a few minutes each day to be still before God. Whether it's a prayer, a time of quiet reflection, or reading Scripture, this time allows you to center your heart on Christ and His peace. Even a few minutes of stillness can transform how you experience each day.

Identify the Essentials List the holiday traditions and tasks that genuinely bring joy and meaning to you and your family. Let go of activities that add more stress than joy. Like Mary, choose the "better part" by focusing on what matters most.

Embrace "Presence Over Perfection" Make an intentional choice to prioritize being present with loved ones over perfecting every detail. When we focus on relationships—sharing meals, conversations, and laughter—the joy of Christmas comes alive.

Reflect on the Reason for the Season Sounds so cliche, but true. Spend time remembering why we celebrate Christmas in the first place: God’s gift of Jesus. Each day, thank God for His love and the grace He has shown us through Christ.

Next Steps

This season, let’s strive not just to “get through” the holidays but to be transformed by them.

As we pause to listen to God’s call, just as Mary did, may we discover that joy is not found in what we do for Christmas, but in Who we celebrate.

By re-centering our hearts and schedules on Jesus, we allow His peace and joy to fill us once again.

Bibliography

https://swnsdigital.com/uk/2022/12/the-average-person-estimates-they-spend-more-than-41-hours-preparing-for-christmas/

Questions for Further Discussion

What key struggle is addressed in the sermon regarding the Christmas season?

How does Psalm 46:10 challenge our understanding of stillness in relation to God?

In what ways can we implement prioritizing stillness during the busy holiday season?

What are some specific examples of holiday tasks that could be letting stress overshadow joy?

What can we learn about the importance of being present with Christ from the story of Mary and Martha?

YouTube Description

Title: I've Lost the Joy of Christmas: Time - Pastor Ryan

Description: In the second message of the "I've Lost the Joy of Christmas" series, Pastor Ryan addresses the demands on our time during the holiday season. Do we find ourselves so caught up in preparations that we lose the true joy of Christmas? Drawing from Psalm 46:10 and the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42, we explore the importance of stillness and being present with Christ. Join us as we learn practical steps to recenter our hearts and schedules on Jesus and discover how to reclaim the joy of Christmas.

Notes Page

Sermon Notes: "I've Lost the Joy of Christmas: Time"

Introduction

This year’s series explores the theme of lost joy in Christmas.Today’s focus: Time and how we use it during the holiday season.

The Time We Spend

Many spend more time preparing for Christmas than enjoying it.Average person spends over 41 hours on tasks like shopping, cooking, and decorating.We risk losing the essence of Christmas amidst our preparations.

Scripture: Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God"

This verse invites us to pause and realign our focus on God, the source of life.Stillness is a command to trust and remember God’s sovereignty, a reminder of Sabbath and ceasing from busyness.

Mary and Martha: Luke 10:38-42

Jesus praises Mary for sitting at His feet and listening, while Martha is preoccupied with preparations.This story reminds us to prioritize God’s presence over our tasks.We may aspire to be like Mary, but our holiday demands often leave us feeling like Martha.

Steps to Recapture the Joy of Christmas

Prioritize Stillness

Take time each day to quiet your heart before God through prayer, reflection, or Scripture.

Identify the Essentials

Focus on traditions that bring true joy; let go of those that add stress.

Embrace "Presence Over Perfection"

Choose quality time with loved ones over perfect decorations or plans.

Reflect on the Reason for the Season

Remember God’s gift of Jesus. Acknowledge this daily as a source of gratitude and joy.

Conclusion

Let’s aim to be transformed by the holiday season, not just "get through" it.By centering our hearts on Christ, we open ourselves to His peace and joy.