Comments on: Crowded Mangers

By: Sophia DeLonghi

Sophia DeLonghi — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 14:18:30 +0000

My tendency is to let my manger (my head and heart) fill with worries, anxious thoughts, fears, burdens, rather than filled with my heart fixed on Christ. This is a great way to look at things and a much better perspective to clean out my manger and refill it with the things of God. Blessed New Year!

By: Andrea Korow

Andrea Korow — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 04:45:22 +0000

On a little bit sillier note, yet still serious! Long ago, there was a song (by Sinatra??) with a line in it that says…. “do be do be do” and on… (Maybe “strangers in the night#8221;) Anyway….. there are 2 be’s and 3 do’s….. so…conclusion… our culture wants to surround all the ‘being’ with alot of ‘doing’…and is sometimes afraid to let the ‘being’ be clearly seen or known…MANY more conclusions can be drawn… 🙂

By: Kimberly VanKlompenberg

Kimberly VanKlompenberg — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 16:25:13 +0000

The two middle weeks of December are intense with ministry projects for me. They demand much of my time. I am intentional to take Jesus with me throughout my day,but like you mentioned above, when the head talk shifts from Jesus to self it is an indicator that my focus has shifted from who’s most important to me. I like visiting a local farm that puts on a live nativity to help recenter myself. It’s simple. It’s pure. Children are the actors, animals are present and a doll represents Jesus. But how the Holy Spirit speaks to my soul in those 10 quiet minutes. The manger becomes uncluttered and my holiday priorities reassigned.

By: Andrea Korow

Andrea Korow — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 07:17:33 +0000

Dear Alicia: just wanted to say thanks for sharing this blog. You’ve such a succinct way at that! We’ve been in a mode of doing less in some areas of life since it keeps the calmness longer in our son. there are some freedoms to not doing so many things people “expect” us to do this time of year… as we teach our son we’re aiming to read the Word thoroughly and ask “why do we do what we do”….Singapore (’87-’88) began driving in that question to ALL areas of life… not always easy and pleasant, but truly worth doing. Regularly! Would love to read your new project….lately our “no spend zone” has really made us see how much we have…and the need to share…. 🙂 blessings to you and your family… Andrea. PS I’m sure Sheila (Daniel) Corbin would love to SKYPE with you sometime, too.

By: elaine rice

elaine rice — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 06:38:24 +0000

Alicia, I so love and appreciate the way you give words to the landscapes of your life in such a way that we the readers not only respond but can feel the textures as they relate to and more clearly reveal the layers of our own experiences. “Crowded Mangers” is no different. How deeply this speaks to me, gives me pause, and yes fits with my own feelings of late. I pull back, withdraw, and intentionally remove from me the bulkiness of life and the days’ demands. I crave the silent space of quiet listening, of peaceful sitting with the silences of all that is sacred and holy, and to just let His Spirit wash me, and wash over me until I feel whole again. He does indeed raise me up, and in the raising I become most myself. It is Him. It was always Him. His beauty always calling me back to Him and where I am most at home–with Him. So glad this came across my page, and so Thankful it found its’ way to me. It affirms all that I have been feeling. Can’t wait to see more. Thank you for your great love for all things Him, and then your faithfulness to release it toward us. May your Christmas be full of unexpected blessings, in unexpected spaces.

By: Alicia Britt Chole

Alicia Britt Chole — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 14:50:04 +0000

In reply to Tammy. "An action of the head and not the heart"--what an apt description of the challenge we face in this season. And I am so sorry for your recent loss. Peace and comfort to you.

By: Alicia Britt Chole

Alicia Britt Chole — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 14:49:11 +0000

In reply to Rachelle Colegrove. Safe travels and rich memories to you this holiday season, Rachelle!

By: Alicia Britt Chole

Alicia Britt Chole — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 14:48:29 +0000

In reply to Elizabeth Brickman. What an incredible way to celebrate God's gift to us all! Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth!

By: Elizabeth Brickman

Elizabeth Brickman — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 14:42:48 +0000

About 6 years ago, we wrote a letter to our family and friends announcing that we were no longer going to give Christmas gifts. We would instead give all that money to help buy a specialized wheelchair for a disabled child. We assured everyone that we realized they may want or need some things. But thankfully, they do not need a wheelchair.
That first year was ever-so-slightly strained. But two weeks after Christmas, everybody forgets who gave them what, and afterwards it became our new normal, with all 118 (yes, 118) former gift recipients happy with us again.
Fast forward to today. Underneath our Christmas tree looms one large statue of Santa Claus bowing before baby Jesus.
Now our Christmases are free of shopping, spending and wrapping. And full of Christ.
We do give one single gift to each grandchild and one to each elderly parent. That’s it. There is no stress in December and no remorse in January.
At Christmas, we’ve turned away from the little things (that only cause stress and debt), and refocused our heart on the BIG and truly most important thing.
God bless you at Christmas and always!

By: Rachelle Colegrove

Rachelle Colegrove — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 14:39:26 +0000

Thank you for giving practical ideas on realizing the feeling of being overwhelmed and cluttered. I could relate to feeling self-focused and really distracted. My dad died in May and my Christmas focus this year has been on relationships. Looking forward to a LONG road trip with my family and spending time together. I pared down everything else. Shopped online. Less decorations. Less is more. So excited to read your book. Merry Christmas!