The Christmas Pickle: Choosing carefully

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.

—Luke 10:39-40a

Does your family celebrate the tradition of the Christmas pickle? Have you heard of it? The Christmas pickle is a glass pickle ornament, which is hidden in the boughs of the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. The first child to find the pickle on Christmas morning gets a special treat or an extra gift or gets to open the first gift, you decide. I guess you could say that finding the ornament is lucky. However, in my family, the term Christmas pickle takes on a different meaning and it’s far from lucky.

On Christmas Eve 2016, my family gathered at my home for the evening meal. I knew that my grandchildren, Addison, then 4, and Eli, 2, both enjoyed dill pickles, so I was sure to pick some up from the grocery store. I placed them in a serving dish and set them on the table. As soon as we said grace, the two children bit into a pickle. Suddenly, Eli shuddered, and Addison gagged and took off for the bathroom.

“Wow, that must have been a sour pickle!” my mother remarked.

“Here, let me have your pickle, Eli,” Ricky offered and took a bite, “That is pungent!”

Then Tim tried it. Emma did too. Both concurred. “What kind of pickles did you buy, Mom?”

I opened the refrigerator to get the jar. “Oh, no! They’re jalapeno dill pickles!”

While everyone laughed, I apologized to the children.

Now it has become a family joke. Every time I set out pickles for the holidays, everyone wants to make sure they are not jalapeno dill.

The moral of the story: Choose carefully.

When I was shopping, I saw the words “dill spears” and grabbed the jar. I didn’t notice the word “jalapeno” right above it.

When we aren’t careful and don’t pay attention to the details, we may find ourselves in a pickle (pun intended).

During the holiday season, so much calls for our attention—shopping, wrapping, writing cards, baking, decorating and more—all while we try to keep up with our normal everyday life (work, school, etc.) And if you’re like me, you also want to fit in special holiday events—parties, concerts, plays, tree lightings, and movies. Before we say “yes” to these things, perhaps we should check the label, make sure we know what we’re getting ourselves into. Is this something my family will enjoy? How much will it cost me? How much time will it require? Aren’t I busy enough? Do I have the energy to do it? If I say “yes,” will I be biting off more than I can chew (okay, bad pun)?

And, after all, isn’t Christmas the celebration of Jesus’ birthday? Shouldn’t we slow down and spend a little time with the guest of honor?

In Luke 10:38-42, we read the story of Jesus at the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is busy with all the preparations and complains to Jesus about Mary, who is sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him. The Lord responds, “Martha, Martha, 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” (verses 41-42).

Doing all the Christmassy things can be overwhelming. Let us seek God for wisdom on how we spend our time. Let’s sit at the feet of Jesus, learn more about Him, and worship Him. O come, let us adore Him.

Dear Lord, thank You for You! This Christmas I want to choose carefully on how I spend my time. I want to know You more. Slow me down to sit at Your feet where surely I will find rest for my soul. Amen.