|
Think On These Things Newsletter>
The Coming Christmas Season
December 5, 2007
[Note: Please excuse the lateness of this newsletter. I
will try to get back on track with timely newsletters.]
Having become a grandfather, and with the holidays fast
approaching, life has picked up relative speed. Activities
have multiplied rapidly. Days without activities out of the
norm are becoming rare. Yet the engine that runs daily life
still churns with steadiness under the roar of the
anticipation of celebration.
Unfortunately, this means that we don't take the time -
or take the time when we have it - to slow down, pause, and
reflect. Even Sundays which are ordinarily a time for
worship, rest, and introspection are filled with movement,
and often, confusion. Sunday School, worship service,
chimes, bells, choir, Bible study, programs, committee
meetings, and other activities turn into a blur. Not to
mention shopping for Christmas in addition to the myriad of
continual regular commitments - not the least of which are
jobs, school sports, and related responsibilities.
Even Christmas eve and Christmas go by faster than we
would prefer. When I was growing up, nothing else happened
on Christmas but the event itself. Time was spent
celebrating with family, enjoying gifts, and dining
together. Even on Thanksgiving, everything was closed. No
stores offered sales, just to beat what would come to be
called Black Friday. On neither holiday did restaurants
open before 5 p.m.
Yet now, if you happen to forget some ingredient for
Thanksgiving dinner, all that is necessary is sending
someone to the store. The only question is if the store
still has the item in stock. If you need to pick up some
last minute item or gift on Christmas eve it is usually not
a problem. You may, however, have to wait in line with the
many other people who waited until the last minute.
With the different variations of family types (and the
various number of members within them) these days, it is
entirely possible that one might have to be at several
places at separate times on Christmas. Some families are
large enough that - even if they happen to be located in
the same area - no one house is capable of holding them all
comfortably. Each separate family unit will have their own
traditions as well. Young couples often have two sets of
parents to visit. Each set of parents have their parents to
consider.
Our family has often traveled to two or more places on
Christmas day. If Cyndy’s parents were still alive, it
would be a minimum of three places. My parents, our
daughter and her family, perhaps a relative of Cyndy’s and
very close friends. Of course we pray and give thanks and
all, but there is never much of the quiet time I came to
cherish when I was a young man. The time to sit back and
realize how really lucky I am, despite of any problems I
may be having. Time to think about what Christmas is truly
all about.
So I carve out what time I can, short though it may be.
I sit and relax. Maybe read Luke 2 again by myself. Perhaps
a few parables if there is time. Then I give thanks for the
blessings I have been given in the previous year and pray
for my family in the coming year. Too soon my solitude is
interrupted and the moment has passed. But I had that
moment.
It seems a shame that the Christmas season now starts
the day after Thanksgiving. Beginning the snowball that
picks up speed - increasing in size as it goes - headed
downhill to Christmas. I try to not watch any Christmas
shows or movies until at least after the first of December.
Except for perhaps Miracle on 34th Street on Thanksgiving.
I don’t really get into the holiday spirit until about
two weeks before Christmas when the Christmas programs at
church begin. Then come the multitude of activities before
Christmas and the flurry of Christmas dinners and visits.
As I intimated earlier, I think it would behoove us to slow
it down a little. And not just at Christmas. We need to
take solitary time to give thanks and pray throughout the
year.
Peace be with you.
|
|
|
