The Mom Cafe

Encouragement for Moms

  • Home
  • About
  • Encouragement in…
    • Expression
    • Motherhood
    • Faith
    • Family
    • Marriage
    • Healing
  • Places I’ve Been Published
  • Work with Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

In Search of the Sacred Season

December 7, 2015 By momcafe 40 Comments

Christmas, holidays, Faith, Jesus, God, Sacred Season

 

I have been thinking through how I can best bask in the spirit of the Holidays.ย  Last year was a messy flood of trials and challenges that left little room for peace, rest, or reflection-

This Holy Season calls for such sanctifying things, doesn’t it?

I often miss out on truly immersing myself in the wonder of it all. Life gets busy. Things happen beyond our control. And in the haste and hurry of all the checklists and gatherings and activities and shopping- It’s so very easy to miss the stillness, the holiness, through all the going , the doing, the constant moving.ย  This is the time to cherish quiet moments of reflection, allowing the whispers of God to soak in our souls.

But how on earth will we find time for that when we have so much to do?

Yeah, I know.

This year I am approaching the season differently. I must. I am in search of the Sacred Season I have missed for too long. For the rest of December, I will be making some radical changes to make room for such things, and although it’s scary to anticipate the adjustments, I am absolutely convinced this is what I need to do. You know how I know?

I long for it.

I ache for it.

These decisions are not based on prioritizing all those responsibilities I hold or balancing an overwhelming schedule, or even juggling the parenting craze the days ahead can bring.

I will choose wisely for my soul’s sake.

Yes, that.

Before the kids are home for break, I want to cherish the stillness and soak in the moments I can afford and open my heart to His gentle whispers calling my name. I want to read and reflect and allow God to minister to my heart, as I pull back from the going, the doing, the constant moving.

Reflection. Replenishment. Refueling.

And when the kids are on break, I want to embrace all their excitement of Christmas with fun activities, visits with friends and family and our own moments of stillness, reflection and listening to God’s whispers together.

Joy. Relationships. Presence.

I want to spend this season immersed in the blessed beauty of all it is to be…

It’s time to open up space and make room for where God leads me.

I hear Him calling my name, trying to pull me away from the online world and the busyness of the going, the doing, the constant moving.

With great intention and bold assertion, I will step back from the things I hold dear and trust that I will surely find the Sacred Season and soak in the glow of His light.

Perhaps you can join me- amidst the going, the doing, the constant moving? It may take some radical changes for you too.

Take those steps back with great intention and bold assertion, and step forward in search of your own Sacred Season.

THIS is the time.

Don’t miss it.

Reflection. Replenishment. Refueling.

Joy. Relationships. Presence.

That is my hope for us all this Holiday Season.

 

Author Signature

Filed Under: Encouragement in Expression, Encouragement in Faith, Encouragement in Motherhood, Encouragement in Words, Featured Post Tagged With: Balance, Encouragement in Faith, Holidays, Holy season, motherhood, Reflection, Sacred season, Stillness

Comments

  1. Tricia says

    December 7, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    I needed this today! I spent the weekend (or so I determined as of this morning when it was officially over) doing so much, all the bustle and the busy. And I felt badly about missing just being and enjoying. I’m going to aim for the less busy for the rest of the season.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 7:44 pm

      Good for YOU, Tricia!! I hope you were able to just BE, my friend… and embrace those quiet moments of the season. XOXO

      Reply
  2. Janine Huldie says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    I literally just had to make a choice today of whether to take on more work during the Christmas week or keep to the time I planned on taking off. I choice the latter and am truly happy I did. I might be forgoing a bit of money, but this precious time with my family means more to me than a few measly extra dollars to be quite honest. So this really hit home and honestly I very much agree with your sentiments here.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 7:37 pm

      GOOD FOR YOU JANINE!!!!! I hope you embraced those moments that are truly precious to you, my friend! And may more of them come in the New Year!

      Reply
  3. Dana says

    December 7, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    I know you will find all of those things, Chris! I love the spirit of the season, even though Christmas is not my religious holiday. It is easy for me to find that joy and presence because I simply have to look around me, without all the busy and frenzy that accompany this time of year. I wish that for you too, my friend. xoxo

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 7:36 pm

      Thank you so much for your wishes, Dana! I did… I DID. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Tamara says

    December 7, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    I’m searching. Mainly it doesn’t pass me by but two years ago, it did. I never really felt.. IT. That special IT. Last year I did again. This year? I haven’t yet. I think I will, though. I need to work on relaxing. Funny, right?

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 7:35 pm

      Did you feel IT? Did you? Oh, how I pray you did!! XOXO

      Reply
  5. Allie says

    December 7, 2015 at 11:26 pm

    I hear you might momma! You won’t “see” me much I’ve ctge next couple weeks. The hope you had an extraordinary Christmas season!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 7:33 pm

      Allie, I do hope you had a WONDERFUL Christmas with your beautiful family my friend!! May you feel blessed now and throughout the coming year!! XOXO

      Reply
  6. Considerer says

    December 7, 2015 at 11:52 pm

    I hope you find all that you need to be replenished and refilled to overflowing with joy and purpose xoxox

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 7:32 pm

      Well, despite Cass getting worse- it truly was peaceful, purposeful and *almost* perfect!! (I’m SO glad for where YOU are right now… And I LOVED my card, your writing, your words, your heart MADE my day!) I LOVE YOU!!

      Reply
  7. Kathy says

    December 8, 2015 at 3:20 am

    Beautiful, Beautiful Christine! I love to hear you pulling away from the world to the heart of Christ during this Christmas season! You are doing so with bold and passionate intention for Christ, and what comes to me is ‘seek and ye shall find’!! My heart is so warmed by this blog. I wrote, too, this week about similar.. about creating an intention for Christmas to counteract the shouting Christmastime materialism all around us..you have several beautiful intentions and I love them all!! May the blessed peace of Christ root in your heart and soul, and sing throughout this season May the joy with your children be the bells and whistles in the symphony of your holiday! I just love your heart! AndI sense this will be the most wonderful Christmas season for you and your family! Blessings during each unfolding day!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 7:31 pm

      OH, how I adore your heart too Kathy!! Our Christmas was lovely, peaceful, purposeful and really almost perfect- despite my girl getting sick. (There’s always gonna be something, right?) I do pray your was BLESSED, my dear friend. XOXO

      Reply
  8. Julie Jo Severson says

    December 8, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    Thank you. This helped me exhale. I am with you on all this. Although the connections with amazing people like you I am making in the online world have been amazing, being on the computer so much and all the noise from Facebook is definitely taking its toll. I love coming here, though. It’s like a serene resting place.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 7:04 pm

      The online world IS amazing… but oh, it can be so depleting and I manage to perform over and OVER again- that ‘self-induced stress’ trying to keep up on it all. I realize that I MUST let go at times in order to re-connect again. It’s so so hard though… but liberating!

      Do you know how much it means to me that you come here? “Serene resting place” <--- THIS - You made my dream come true. *Thank you from the depths of my heart for that.*

      Reply
  9. Kenya G. Johnson says

    December 8, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    This is the perfect time of year to do just that. Get your mind right so you can be fresh, ready and set to go the bring in the new year! Cheers!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      THAT is the plan, my friend!! So far, it’s working! ๐Ÿ™‚ I hope you had a beautiful and blessed Christmas, Kenya!!! And Here’s to a New Year in search of MORE Sacred to savor. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  10. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

    December 8, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    This is so lovely Chris.

    I too long for that peace and reflection that comes with this sacred season. There’s much happening right now… my grandma is seriously ill, my birthday and my brother’s birthday are coming up (and within a week of each other. Christmas concerts, gatherings, parties. So much pulling in every direction.

    That’s why I started the IF:Equip (website) advent Bible study. Every day I read, reflect and journal about the season’s promptings. It’s preparing my heart.

    Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you my friend.
    xoxo

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 6:03 pm

      Did you make it? Oh, how I pray your grandma is okay and that you were able to celebrate your birthday and Christmas with your intentional faith my friend! What a beautiful way to ensure you are filling yourself with GOD first… I just love that. God bless you and your family.

      Reply
  11. Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says

    December 8, 2015 at 8:02 pm

    I’m looking forward to some reflection, and quiet time, and spending time enjoying my family. I prefer a slower pace at the holidays…I’m not into the frenzy. I dislike shopping and I can’t keep up with the Jones as far as decorating goes. I just want to sit on the couch and play a board game, and do things with my kids…as they get older, I realize more and more that they’ll be leaving the nest and my time with them will be more limited.
    My oldest son went off to college this year, and while I am thrilled he is flourishing in his new environment, it feels like there is a hole in the house. I miss him.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 6:01 pm

      Oh Michelle! I hope you were able to savor the moments with ALL your kids home for the Holiday!! I can’t imagine one of mine gone… I know the day will come. I wish you many blessings in the New Year, my friend. <3

      Reply
  12. marie says

    December 9, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    I welcome your words with joy Chris! The Christmas season is a time to let go, reflect on what matters and let God be with us, allow Light to enter our lives and show us the road for the coming year.
    We always seem to have 100 of things to do during this special time of the year. Maybe the best is to relax and to connect with the energy within, let God talk to us.
    May you have a blessed season and a wonderful christmas time!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 5:59 pm

      I adore your heart, my friend!! I do hope and pray you had a BEAUTIFUL and BLESSED Christmas!! XOXO

      Reply
  13. Jhanis says

    December 9, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    Oh Chris I wish for the same! I just want to drop everything and just fully immerse myself in the moment. Family. Kids. Faith. The rat race and the need to stay updated with what’s going on is really taking a toll on me. I just want to crawl into bed and hug my kiddoes for days. ๐Ÿ™

    Wishing you a wonderful holidays my friend.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 5:55 pm

      Did you make it? Oh, how I hope you were able to muster a few days of being immersed in those precious moments Jhanis!! I *Think* I did… ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  14. Andrea says

    December 9, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    I get this feeling every Christmas season. I try to front-load all the most time-sensitive tasks to save time at the end just for God. I usually fail. This season I’m doing better, enjoying the lights and the music and the still moments with God and the Holy Spirit and reflecting on Jesus’ purpose on earth. Slowing down is key for me to have the right frame of mind about Christmas.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 5:53 pm

      YES… slowing down. It’s SO hard for me to do that! I’m here now though… ๐Ÿ™‚ Finding a few moments of Holy bliss.

      Reply
  15. Emily says

    December 9, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    I think it takes a lot of willpower and strength to take those steps back for refueling and reflection, but I’m sure once you do it, you will be fulfilled on many levels. Good for you! I hope to be able to “check out” of the internet for a while too and just focus on family and relaxation and good old-fashioned spontaneous fun. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 5:49 pm

      It took some effort, but after a week of going through detox (ha!) I finally started to feel less and less angst and more and more peace…and JOY! I hope you had a beautiful break too, my friend!!

      Reply
  16. Stephanie says

    December 10, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    It’s so easy to let the season fly by. I love your intention to really get excited with the kids…finding ways to see the season through their eyes. For me it’s the traditional hymns. When I sing them in church and really, I mean really, hear the words I can hardly make it through an entire song without getting choked up.
    Merry Christmas friend.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 5:47 pm

      Oh how I love LOVE those precious Holy moments!! They catch me by surprise sometimes…

      I hope you had a beautiful and BLESSED Christmas, my dear friend!

      Reply
  17. Rorybore says

    December 11, 2015 at 4:36 am

    I did my last pre Season holiday task tonight and now it will all be about Basking! Soaking it up. Pouring it out onto others. Not that there still isn’t work, but I too want to enter into that state with a sense of calm. It.will.all.get.done.
    It does – every year. No matter how much I worry and fret, or don’t.
    I bought myself an early Christmas present – it’s a Mantra Band that is engraved with “Be Present”

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 5:46 pm

      I LOVE your Mantra Band! I do believe that is the KEY, my friend! I bet your Christmas was beautiful and blessed… And I wish the same for you in the New Year my dear friend!

      Reply
  18. Andrea says

    December 12, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Wise advice, my friend! I have a music CD that I think you will LOVE. When I listen to it — I feel like I am able to truly listen to God. The lyrics are incredible. http://www.blessedarethebroken.com/music/

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 5:43 pm

      So yeah… I’m actually just getting your link now! LOL It’s never too late though… THANK YOU for this blessing Andralicious!!! ๐Ÿ˜€ LOVE you!

      Reply
  19. Kristi Campbell says

    December 13, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    This is gorgeous Chris and so so true that we must make room for the quiet reflections during the busy holiday. We. Must. By the way, you should link this with Finish the Sentence this week! It’s perfect for it! <3

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 5:38 pm

      Do you know I wrote it to fit in the FTSF link up? THEN I totally forgot… ACK!!! It was just too crazy here to deal… BUMMER! Will definitely dive back in after break!! MISS YOU! I do hope you had a beautiful and BLESSED Christmas my dear friend. <3

      Reply
  20. Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom says

    December 14, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    This is a beautiful hope for us all Chris! I had to laugh a bit at your line that started “Before the kids are home…” as it is such a difference pre-Christmas break vs. Christmas break. Quiet vs. noise, noise that is joyful and I will miss one day. So I’ll cherish it all the more this year!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 26, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      RIGHT? I knew time was ticking and running out before the kids were going to SLAM into my silence! LOL And you are so right… lets cherish the madness together! We WILL miss it one day… ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow on Bloglovin

Subscribe to Blog


 

Recent Posts

  • Parenting a High School Senior and Soon-to-be Graduate
  • What I’ve Learned About Parenting Teens In A Pandemic
  • Have You Read The Greatest Story Ever Told?
  • I’m Thankful for the Power of Gratitude
  • For Mother’s Day, I Just Want Everything and Everyone to Be Okay

My Books Sold on Amazon!

Follow Jesus by Christine Carter   Help and Hope While You Are Healing by Christine Carter

Archives

Places I’ve Been Published

the mom cafe

Recommended Reading List

  The Mom Cafe Recommended Reading List  

Legal Stuff

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Affiliate Disclosure

Copyright © 2022 ยท Design by Fabulous Blogging ยท WordPress ยท Log in