Do you need a break from your day-to-day-colored life? You know, when everything is just the same old routine with a big dose of responsibility thrown in?
But what do you do about it?
Binge on Netflix movies?
Eat a whole carton of French vanilla ice cream smothered in hot fudge sauce topped with chopped pecans?
Cling to your Crabby Woman of the Year Award?
Maybe all the above?
I have a better idea.
You can do Christmas. Yes, really.
Christmas adds a seasonal shift to your life. Decorations, Christmas music, yummy food, Advent readings, good friends to laugh with, a Christmas service, and, most important, Jesus—all change the color of your everyday life for a few weeks.
Pausa for the Christmas season
In musical terms, we call an interval of silence a pausa or rest. Christmas does that for you. It brings a rest to your soul.
If done right, Christmas helps you slow down and revisit the manger. ”
You reflect on why you’re on this faith journey in the first place and why you want to share it with others.
So find a quiet place for some personal musing. Rest your mind. Let the Holy Spirit talk with you about the Christmas season ahead.
Then use December to leak Jesus all over people.
You can’t do that unless you’re spending time with the One who sources your life with peace and joy.
And just in case you need a little encouragement, here’s a few posts from seasons past to help you “do Christmas” right.
- Guess Who Is Coming for Dinner. Advent calls us to wait and watch for the One who is Christmas.
- Embrace the value of Christmas traditions.
- Don’t let unmet expectations ruin your Christmas.
- Nurture your spirit with heart hugging video clips.
- Choose to celebrate Christmas even if you’re not in the mood. After all, it’s not really about you, is it?
- Christmas is unwrapped in Holy Disorder. And it’s God’s fault.
So, quick question…
Name one thing you plan to do to connect with the Lord during the Christmas season… so you don’t leak yucky stuff all over people… and then feel bad about yourself because you did.
Write your answer in the comment section below. (Don’t worry. Every answer gets an “A.” And if you don’t know what to answer, just give the answer that every preschooler gives in Children’s Church, “Jesus.”)
Let’s do Christmas right, shall we?
Catch you next week,
Susan
This Post Has 4 Comments
I’m trying to be more aware this season. Smell it. Hear it. SEE it. See the people, the needs, the pretty lights. I’m trying really hard to be mindful of the season and not be caught up in the stress of it. I’ve chosen to make cookies because I WANT to. It’s something my almost-college daughter is going to do with me so it will be so very special to me. It won’t be an obligation or a chore, but a gift to spend that time with her and a memory in the making. <3
Okay, so what we’re doing is inviting friends and neighbours over on Sunday for a tree-trimming and cookie- decorating afternoon. I pray it will be fun (crowded,but not packed) and good for everyone who is there. 🙂
I hear you, Melanie. “Smell it. Hear it. SEE it.” If my husband and I don’t sit down and purposefully put some things on the December calendar, we find frustration waiting for us at the end of the month. The “I wish we had done _______ and _________.” The season can so easily be missed. And I don’t want to miss the giving times and the memory making times with my family and friends. I love spontaneous, but I can too easily miss out on Christmas if I don’t plan special times with the people I love.
Yummy! Can I come? OK, I know you live on the other side of the world, but really, what a great combination of Christmasy stuff to do with people who are part of your world, Jennie. 🙂