Luke 21:34 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life..." -- Jesus.

This is part of Jesus' teaching on the end of the age. It struck me this morning in light of a conversation with a friend about the Christmas season, and the inability to find the joy in the midst of the rush and crush of work and such. It also makes me think of a previous post at the start of Advent -- another friend not feeling like they were able to get in the spirit of the season with the shopping, decorating, parties, and stuff that 'needed' to happen. Isn't it amazing that we are weighed down by our anxieties (imposed by self and others!) in the middle of what is maybe the greatest time of the year, and by the very things that are supposed to be joyous?

This week's Advent theme -- the coming of Christ, the sharing of the Savior, and joy. I'm thinking these things go hand in hand...how can the 'rush and crush' point us to the manger, and inspire us to share the Gift? How can we convert anxiety into joy?

For me today -- I'll use that anxiety and the weigh down stuff to drive me to pray -- again, imagine the anxiety Mary felt. Hello! I doubt my anxious moments compare...And I'm going to look for one thing today that is 'seasonal' and find the Savior in it. Use what the world gives to point my gaze vertically.

How about you?