Merry Christmas! I’m knee deep in boxes and bags. The room is crammed and somehow I’m not sure how I did this to myself. No, I’m, not Christmas shopping, I’m reorganizing our closet! Ha! Merry Christmas. This year, we gave ourselves the gifts of reorganization by getting new Ikea units. This can seem boring, it’s no new car or jewelry, but completely removing everything out of the closets and examining what should actually go back into the closet. This past week I’ve been tearing my house apart finding all kinds of sentimental, old, or just beat up items and deciding where they needed to go. When cleaning out the boys closet, I found a swaddle that I used for both of my boys, and I couldn’t part with it. It reminded of being a new mom with Isaac where everything was wonderful, and terrifying. I just couldn’t get rid of that swaddling cloth.
What does this have to do with Christmas? Experiencing the love of Christ makes us view ourselves differently. Maybe you’re thinking ‘well, I’m not perfect, why would I want to be shown my imperfections?” Here is the thing- this is where cleaning out your ‘spiritual closet’ comes in. When we remove the things that block us like un-forgiveness, anxiety, and past hurts- we can start to see our true value of who we are in Christ. we no longer focus on the imperfections, but place our focus on who HE is and what HE has done for us. This is not an easy process. Cleaning out our closets this past week was physically and mentally exhausting. It forced us to come face to face with the things we were holding onto, WHY we were keeping it stuffed away for years and how much holding onto it really mattered. Also, it showed us that the tiniest things can have such a huge impact, just like that swaddle I found- reminded me of Jesus- the tiniest baby who changed the world- He who is THE reason for this season!
Isaiah 9:6 says this: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Small things CAN have a huge impact. Cleaning out a closet may not see like big deal to some, but to us our home is becoming a place of peace and joy again. This season, let’s let God do a spiritual housecleaning in us, that we may turn our hearts toward the God-child, our Savior Christ, and get rid of the things that block or hold us back from gazing at His beauty and receiving His grace.
Babies and Gentleman 