'Tis the season to be busy (and spend money).  Does your Christmas season already seem to
be filled with almost too much to do?  Does your
buying list already exceed your credit limit?  How can such a spiritual time like Christmas be  overrun by so much earthly activity?  I know these
sentiments are heard each year during the holidays, and it is not my purpose here to complain about the commercialization of Christmas. I do want to talk about two items - the important things that get passed over in busyness, and things that should be given that will not cost you anything. 

We all know that the squeaky wheels get the grease, and there are a lot of things to grease right now.  Sometimes those demands are more like a scream than a squeak.  God does not clamor for our attention the way a young child might.  He
patiently waits to meet us in prayer or enlighten
us with His Spirit when we sit to read His Word.  He delights in impressing our hearts when we pause to be still before His presence.  When Jesus was well into His earthly, public ministry, the
demands for His attention became overwhelming.  We see him avoiding the crowds, at times, and looking for solitary places to be alone with God or with his disciples.  He arose a great while before day, when no one would disturb Him, so that he could meet with His Father. 

We too need (at least as much as Jesus did) to
reserve a time for prayer and meditating in the Word each day.  Don't let your activities cause
you to minimize or postpone your time spent with God.  Just as Jesus was careful to spend time training His disciples, I exhort you to disciple your children.  You do not need to go to every Christmas event.  If the majority of the 'togetherness time' you spend with Johnny and Suzy is within the confines of a motor vehicle, I think something is lacking.  Spend, or rather invest time, with you children.  Husbands, I also exhort you to spend