Photo Credit: Ashley Walter

It is the last day of November. Tomorrow, like it or not, the Christmas season will be in high gear. I love to decorate our home for Christmas. In fact, I love to decorate our house for all the seasons of the year. It is one way I can express my creativity all year long in a fun way. But decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, going to parties, hosting parties, not to mention all the other responsibilities of life that don’t stop because it’s Christmas, can take their toll on a marriage.

Consider these familiar sisters from Scripture – Mary and Martha. Martha was the conscientious one – with meal preparations she was always ahead of schedule. She anticipated the next gathering and was ready to serve everyone well, including her Master.

But Mary.

Mary took time to sit at the Lord’s feet. She knew everyone needed to eat. She knew the house needed to be continually put in order, yet she paused to listen to Jesus. When He spoke her world stopped. She simply wanted more time with Him.

When Martha became upset with Mary in Luke 10, listen to what Jesus said,

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (ESV)

Mary had chosen the good part and was commended for doing so.

This story obviously relates directly to our relationship with the Lord, but an application could include encouragement for us in our second most important relationship – our marriage. Take time to be together. We’re not talking about going and doing everything together – although this is good. But take time to sit and enjoy quality time with each other. Read a book, go on a weekly date, take a walk together, or linger at the dinner table to talk while the kids watch a favorite movie. Don’t let the schedule dictate your time together. Instead let your time together be the priority and see if the Lord doesn’t meet you both in a special way.

Here’s our plan and we’re opening it up to any of you who would like to take part with us for the Christmas 2011 season:

Last year we did a 100 Joys Challenge that proved to be quite helpful in finding Joy in the midst of the busyness. This year, let’s look for 31 special “Here’s To Us” Moments. We’ve been practicing this all year long with our monthly challenge, so we believe this will be a great way to end 2011.

If you would like to share with us each day your special moment, we invite you to do so either in the comments on the blog, or on our FaceBook page.

So good-bye to November, and HELLO to Christmas, our favorite time of year! Enjoy this very special Christmas video by The Florin Street Band from England!