Mary and Martha and Christmas? Those sisters aren’t part of the Christmas story!

Well, that’s true. But let’s look at the story about them in Luke 10. It’s a short passage, but it’s packed full. As we read it we just might see two different approaches to preparing for Christmas.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42, NIV)

The Bible doesn’t tell us if the visit to Martha’s house was planned or spontaneous. I would be so flummoxed if 13 people dropped by my house for lunch, unannounced! It seems that Martha did not panic. She opened her home to Jesus.

Mary joined the group, sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to what he said. (Flashing lights go off in my head if I am the one who will soon be serving a meal to this crowd!)

What about Martha? Did she want to join Mary? Perhaps she wished to. But Jesus was in her home, and she had a lot to do… oh no, the bread is still rising…who ate the last olives…Lazarus was going to the vintner’s tomorrow to get more wine… (Luke just says she was distracted. I wonder if she might not have been overwhelmed as well.)

Where did Mary get off to? she might have thought. Then, glancing at Jesus, who may have given her a warm smile, she saw her errant sister. And she’s sitting at his feet!

She made her way through the room to Jesus. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to do the work by myself?” (Distracted. Overwhelmed. And now blaming. It’s an easy path to travel, and it takes so little time.)

But Martha isn’t finished. “Tell her to help me!” (Wow! Now she’s bossing Jesus around!)

Of all the nerve. I’m so glad I’ve never done that… well, not too often… well, not too recently. Oh, Martha, my friend, my sister, I know you. So often I am you.

Jesus must be so disappointed with Martha, and embarrassed for the scene she has caused. (And, Martha, you must feel ashamed.)

But Jesus is pure love. And wisdom. And truth.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.”

Mary had chosen to sit at the feet of Jesus. To be near her Lord. To worship him and learn from him. Isn’t that always the better thing?

Yes, Jesus says so.

But what about all the things that need to get done? What if 13 people show up unannounced on Christmas Eve, expecting to be fed?

What if I haven’t sent out the Christmas cards? What if I don’t write any this year?

What if I haven’t even bought one gift yet?

What if I haven’t made Christmas cookies for years?

What if the kids have moved away and the joy of decorating for Christmas moved out with them?

Oh, friends, we can get distracted, worried and upset about many things, just like Martha. But we can choose our response.

Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.

Will we choose to sit at Jesus’ feet in worship, listening to his voice, his heart? Or will we choose distraction and all that comes with it?

After we get our focus back on Jesus through worshipping him and letting his word fill us, there will be time enough to take care of the necessary details. And there will be joy in the doing.

Blessings on your Christmas preparations!

Ginger