Ah, the holidays. We dream of a season filled with gentle snows, glittering lights, enticing smells, carols streaming, gifts wrapped with perfection, a flawless tree filled with memory-inducing ornaments, and hugs, smiles and laughter spilling over in endless traditions and activities. Ah, the holidays.
Well. Shelf that Hallmark movie, because the reality often paints quite a different picture. Across the country, women are tasked with expectations and responsibilities that would turn any action-hero into a blubbering wimp: Pinterest-laden projects, tradition-building activities, cooking, cleaning, baking, decorating, list-making, shopping, wrapping, addressing, organizing, gathering, programming, hosting. Moods shift from belligerent “I ain’t doing it”, to soldier-like “If not I, then who”, to weepy, hit-the-wall “This is impossible”. Tensions and issues already simmering come to a roiling boil as expectations and stress are tossed into the pot.
We desire something altogether different. Alongside a willingness to forge ahead creating and carrying-on special traditions and festive activities, we cradle a deep longing to embrace the quiet wonder and emphasize the beautiful, overwhelming mystery of the season. To find this niche, we must be intentional and forge different choices, paying close attention to these:
Charity. Modeling charity for young ones in our lives reaps benefit, but to practice charity also reminds us to focus outside of ‘me and mine’. Generosity fights the flesh’s Scrooge-attitude to ignore others’ needs, hoarding our blessings. We find truth in Jesus’ saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) Opportunities abound to support worthy charities needing financial support, donations, or volunteers. When we open our eyes beyond self, we find food pantries and shelters; we discover ministries aiding the needy and down-trodden. And inside our own circles, neighbors and friends need support and love as they walk through a difficult holiday.
Chopping. Cut with ferocity, the unnecessary. Often the victims of self-imposed expectations, we must recognize and release energy-zapping, joy-sapping goals and dreams.
Cherish. Hold dear the blessings of family and friendship. During accelerated time spent with ‘our people’, where personalities and differences can blossom into conflict and strife, hit pause. Acknowledge and cherish this person, this relationship, for the God-breathed soul and unique gifting they represent.
Christ-focus. Before our hurrying feet hit the floor, before picking up our phones to let the world in, we let Jesus in. We acknowledge His presence and invite Him to accompany us through the day. Laying our plans before Him, we offer willingness to let Him direct each minute; accepting what doesn’t coincide with the schedule we wrote in ink the night before. This practice, important every day of our lives, becomes even more critical through the holidays.
Contemplation. Perhaps the most difficult. In a season demanding more, as we attempt to squeeze 28 hours out of 24, we need to set and guard times of quiet. Every. Day. No noise. No screens. No distractions. Staring down our day, designating at least 15 minutes, to sit quiet resting our overstimulated minds. To nurture our souls. To meditate and reflect on the wonder of the amazing demonstration of God’s reckless love.
How He chose to come and dwell with us. Chose to shower His grace and light into a dark, troubled world, deserving none of His favor. Chose to take on the limitations of flesh and bone to be in intimate relationship with us: teaching, healing, guiding, modeling the Father. Chose to face the destructive hate and violence that came against Him, to face torture and death, paving a way for us to be adopted into the family of God. To conquer death, opening to us the door of eternity with Him.
These are the crushing antitheses to Christmas chaos. Externally we remain all-in as we engage in the preparation and activity of the season. But internally, we experience calm, buoyed by His presence, focused on The Gift, resonating with wonder. Through these actions, peace comes to dwell where stress worked to reign. Joy moves in where frustration tried to set up camp. Goodwill resides, dwelling where selfishness and critical spirits fought to take up residence. Our lives reflect The Light to others, shining beams into the darkness, and depositing luminous pockets of His grace and hope in troubled lives.
Photo by Greg Weaver on Unsplash
