Remember
This December,
That love weighs more than gold!
~Josephine Dodge Daskam BaconIt’s that time of year again. A time of laughter, joy, glitter and gold. Or…rather, that is what the Christmas season is meant to be- but is it really? I have finally admitted…Christmas is a disaster. Now, before you roll your eyes and label me a cynic, hear me out.
After a month of endless parties, gift-exchanges, and family get togethers, frankly, I’d like to crawl in a hole and hibernate the rest of winter. I stumble through the season declaring “good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people!” But…I don’t feel very joyful. How unfortunate that we look forward to this season all year only to meet it with frustration, anxiety and loneliness.
After a month of endless parties, gift-exchanges, and family get togethers, frankly, I’d like to crawl in a hole and hibernate the rest of winter. I stumble through the season declaring “good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people!” But…I don’t feel very joyful. How unfortunate that we look forward to this season all year only to meet it with frustration, anxiety and loneliness.
I know I am not alone in this due to the numerous conversations I have had with people who tell me Christmas is the saddest time of the year for them. It just doesn’t seem right. In all honesty, the expectations we have for Christmas are verging on the ridiculous side. I'm not sure we feel up to capacity on most other days of the year, much less an entire MONTH of shopping, parties, over-eating, smiling and more smiling, emotions, and loneliness. Can't we just admit… it is hard? Lonely? It’s more of an expectation than anything else. And I, like so many others, find myself lonely and overextended during a season where comfort and joy should be in abundance.
Our inspiration and encouragement behind Christmas can transform our lives…if only we will choose to see the wonders of God’s love and grace. It’s also been an essential reminder to me that the wonders of Christmas can extend throughout the year if I will let them.
A director of the Food Pantry stated the other day that people are not just hungry at Christmas, but unfortunately the warehouses are mostly empty outside of the holidays. This applies across the board to our emotional, spiritual, physical and professional lives. We focus small pockets of time in hopes that it will carry us through the rest of the year.
In the days approaching Christmas, I’d like to tell you a little about my journey through Christmas this year, and why I am thankful it has been so difficult. Though I am sure that sounds odd, I feel I have learned some wonderful lessons this year that will help me to love both myself and others better throughout the following year.And don't worry...there will obviously be some good recipes! My mom, sister and I are hard at work in the kitchen this week, so you know it's going to be good uber yummy.
In the days approaching Christmas, I’d like to tell you a little about my journey through Christmas this year, and why I am thankful it has been so difficult. Though I am sure that sounds odd, I feel I have learned some wonderful lessons this year that will help me to love both myself and others better throughout the following year.And don't worry...there will obviously be some good recipes! My mom, sister and I are hard at work in the kitchen this week, so you know it's going to be good uber yummy.
Be blessed this week, and remember to show grace and love to those that need it most…you have no idea what burdens we are all carrying. I’d like to end this first part with a verse that provides me incredible encouragement, and perhaps you as well:
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
~Linbrooke
beautifully written, linds... hugs and kisses
ReplyDelete