“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” // Matthew 7:24
On a chilly, Sunday morning in December, we had just finished listening to the end-of-Mass announcements when we heard loud and clear from the back of the church:
“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!”
My newly two-year-old daughter stared in horror as a strange man in a fake beard waved at her and invited her to “Donuts with Santa” after Mass. Following the crowd into the social hall, I brought my daughter to say hello. She took one look at him, gripped me tighter, and burst into tears.
I came into motherhood full of enthusiasm. Those first few Christmases, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. We left our shoes out for Saint Nicholas. We put on pajamas, drank hot cocoa, and watched Polar Express. We lit the Advent candles and set out our Nativity scene. We baked cookies, cut out paper snowflakes, and sang carols at a nursing home. We shopped, crafted, and trimmed the tree. We were busy, and I was tired.
A decade into this mothering journey, I’ve simplified a bit, doing only that which brings us particular joy or peace. One such thing is the Jesse Tree, a beautiful tradition that allows us to take a slow, deep dive into Jesus’ family tree, remembering the beautiful Jewish roots of our faith, and seeing the thread of God’s faithfulness throughout. This slow savoring of Scripture challenges us to be holy, to act in love toward those around us, and refocuses our scattered attention on the great mystery of the Incarnation.
If your life feels like the inside of a snow globe as the holiday busy-ness swirls around you, sister, slow down. Listen to His word and obey. You will not be shaken.
You will not be shaken. // Elizabeth BlankeClick to tweet
Elizabeth Blanke is a nature-loving mama raising three redheaded extroverts in the beautiful city of Chicago. She is passionate about creating authentic Catholic community, and you will most often find her in the kitchen. After the sudden loss of her high-school sweetheart husband, she is leaning into Christ’s mercy and learning to embrace the Cross. Find out more about her here.
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