Keep Christmas Simple - By Cindi Pate

Contentment is a part of simplicity. Contentment learns to say, “I have all that I need in Christ”. When this spills into our December life, we lose a little craziness and gain a little peace.

This is the radical simplicity that the apostle Paul possessed —

[11 I do not speak because I have need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. 12 I know both how to face humble circumstances and how to have abundance. Everywhere and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13]

As you decorate this Christmas and search for that perfect gift, know the longing in your heart is searching for the hope that makes all things new — know and understand it’s the longing of broken people to know and to be known. The warmth we search for in the cold of winter, and the love we long for aren’t found in stores playing Christmas jingles, a clean decorated house, or the perfect gift.

The longing and searching heart finds peace in Jesus — that’s what we’re missing — what we search for. And that’s the contentment we can find at Christmas.