LIFE RIGHT NOW â—½ YOU
The tree is trimmed. The stockings hung. And each gift carefully wrapped with ribbons and bows. The only remaining task is party prep.
Whether it’s a huge holiday gathering of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins filling multiple tables or a very small group that fits comfortably around one tiny table, my goal is to create a festive Christmas buffet for friends and family. Blending everything I’ve learned from my 1990 Martha Stewart Living subscription with the latest Instagram trends, I’m already mentally planning menus, activities, and tablescapes. Before the chopping, slicing, and baking begins, I’m busy digging through cabinets and cupboards searching for the perfect tablecloths, seasonal serving dishes, and multi-tiered trays fit for the occasion. The evening before the guests arrive, each dish has been strategically placed in the perfect spot (and, yes, labeled with a Post-it indicating its future contents – insert husband’s eye roll) awaiting the delicious concoctions soon to fill the empty spaces.
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One might think with all of these advanced preparations I’d be an easy, breezy relaxed hostess by the time the guests arrive. Not always! Okay, not ever. But I’m working on it.
Why does striving to create a Martha-esque party turn us into Martha from Luke 10? Every year I catch myself in the kitchen frantically fretting over every insignificant detail. But I long to be more like Mary. Anyone else?
Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus welcome their friend Jesus into their home whenever He’s in town. While Martha loses herself in the frenzy of preparing a meal for Jesus (I’d bet she’d use Post-it’s too, if she had some!), she notices her sister Mary sitting calmly at His feet. Mary soaks in every word He had to say. Martha is fuming! She’s working her tail off and her sister is just sitting there, not lifting a finger to help! Martha was so anxious and irritated with her sister she asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her! But Jesus surprises Martha when he says Mary’s choice to sit with Him is better than getting worried and upset.
Jesus isn’t calling out Martha because of her efforts to serve – serving others is a good thing – but He is reminding her to reconsider her priorities. When hosting a party should we spend time worrying the cookie platter is perfectly angled towards the platter of shrimp cocktail or should we be present with our guests? With anything life throws our way, should we waste time in worry or should we seek God’s presence? That’s what Mary did. Unbothered by the cultural expectations to spend time baking bread, she chose to spend time savoring the words of Jesus. She chose to be in the presence of Jesus.
This Christmas season as we prepare to host friends and family in our homes, let’s strive to be more like Mary. Less anxiety. Less worry. In this season of giving presents, let’s just be present.