You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” Haggai 1:6
Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 2 John 1:9-10
Haggai could well be talking about the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season. Marathon baking sessions and Christmas parties stretch clothing and budgets to the breaking point. Wallets really do seem to have holes in them. In a matter of weeks, no one even remembers what they received for Christmas or what they spent hours doing. Valuable time and energy end up yielding nothing but a chasing after the wind.
The gift of hospitality comes in handy this time of year. A diverse crowd at a party gives us opportunities to share the love of Christ with others. However, John does warn us not to welcome just anyone to stay in our houses, at least not for lengthy periods.
Pray to stay focused on the Christ in Christmas. It’s so easy to become side-tracked by all the distractions.
Wishing, as Tiny Tim said so well in A Christmas Carole, “God bless us everyone.”
yicareggie
Sixty-six books in a year 
I don’t worry so much about those who visit who do not know Christ. I know what to expect in terms of behavior and sentiment. Besides, they won’t stay long with me, either. I sort of put a damper on their more extreme version of party-ing. Rather, I must take heed of my own tendencies to follow adopt the loose behaviors of some of my Christian friends who may let down their hair at this time of the year. As children of God, we are to be light in the darkness, not glittery tinsel that will be tossed out still drooping off a dead tree. Our light is actually a reflection of the Morning Star, Christ our Lord, and this season is our opportunity to display that brightness, joy, and warmth of His sweet song of redemption. Christ has come, praise God!
Concise. I like this.