No, no, no! This can’t be happening. I can’t squeeze in one more thing. I already have so much to do. With Christmas parties, family gatherings, shopping, decorating, mission activities, and the everyday responsibilities, I don’t have time for this. It is insane.

Do you ever feel this way? I love all aspects of Christmas, but the older I get, the busier it seems to get. Perhaps I am just slowing down. I enjoy family and friends, going to the nursing home with the school, gathering shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, and helping the needy as we are able. There just doesn’t seem to be time…for Jesus.

We sometimes get so busy with good things that we forget the most important. I am sure Jesus wants us to help the less fortunate, and He doesn’t mind us spending time with family and friends. But we make ourselves feel better by saying, “On Christmas morning, we read the Christmas story so our children will know the real meaning of Christmas.” Do we really think that is all it takes? We must show that we know the real meaning of Christmas.

What if Mary had the attitude many of us do? Would there have been a Christmas? If she had said, “Let me check my schedule. I think I can fit it in.” Mary could have said, “This is just too much trouble, it is way too hard, or I have obligations at the temple.” God chose Mary because He knew her heart. There was no doubt that Mary had her priorities right. I know she was not perfect, but she had time for Jesus. Mary set everything aside to do what God had called her to do. She had concerns and fears, but she gave them to God.

I don’t think she was fretting the whole journey to Bethlehem. She probably had concerns, but I don’t picture her jumping down Joseph’s throat over every bump in the road. I can’t imagine her worrying about every detail the whole trip. Sadly, we are the least patient with the ones we love the most. What do you think her reaction was when she found she had to give birth in a stable? Did she break down and cry, or did she smile and say, “We will be okay, Joseph. I know you wanted better, but God has this.” On that first Christmas, Mary and Joseph were alone and completely dependent on God.

The saddest part of all of this is I find myself falling into this trap. And it is not only at Christmas, but all throughout the year. I have trouble managing my time and energy to put priorities in the right place. I talk to my Lord all throughout the day, but He gets very little quality time. I tend to do the urgent instead of the important. Maybe I should have the attitude that Jesus is the urgent one.

Like many of you, I get so busy that I mix up my priorities. God has called me, as He has called you if you are a Christian, to be His child. We are to lean on Him for everything. Our relationship with God is to be the main concentration of our lives. Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Our Lord is not saying we cannot plan, but He is saying to make them His plans. God comes first, and everything else is next.

In theory, if God is first, everything else should fall in place. Be careful! Sometimes we get so busy serving that we miss the mark. Martha was busy serving Jesus, but Mary was fellowshipping with Him. Our service is a part of fellowship, but it is not the dominant factor. How can we truly serve Him if we don’t have fellowship with Him?

It can be compared to the married couple that is so busy working, keeping the house, caring for the children, cleaning the house, buying groceries, etc., that they have no quality time for each other. No time to talk about the day and remind themselves of their love for each other. We get so busy with the urgent that the important things in life get pushed aside. A married couple is set for disaster if they don’t find time to build their relationship. Why do we think our relationship with our Heavenly Father can survive on less?

Shall we turn over a new leaf together? May we seek Jesus first in all things? The Scripture promises that if we seek Him first, all things will be added. We need to remind ourselves that service doesn’t equate with fellowship. Our lives can be wrapped up in doing good, yet still lack the right priorities.

Let’s start with this Christmas by getting our priorities right. Put God first in all things. We will be surprised how everything will fall into place. Shall we give it our all? I am going to try. How about you?

Merry Christmas!

Dr. Worthington has five children and twelve grandchildren.  She serves as Principal of Pathway Christian Academy in Goldsboro.