“Let’s plan a trip, dinners and shopping. We only meet once a year!” my mother insisted.

    We could sense her anxiety over the preparation, building days before the Holiday. “No, we’d rather stay home and do nothing!” we said. The lack of enthusiasm disappointed her terribly.

    Christmas can be stressful for many reasons. Buying gifts, planning, gathering, and anticipating the family get together can provoke uneasiness. We also get frustrated and irritated easily, especially when we feel others do not appreciate our good intentions. Little wonder that many people end up dreading the holiday that celebrates the coming of Jesus Christ.

Little wonder that many people end up dreading the holiday...

    Martha was a perfect example of someone too stressed to enjoy His visit while her sister Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. Martha, distracted by all the preparations that had to be made, came to Jesus and asked:

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her,” was Jesus’ reply. (Luke 10:39-40 NIV)