The Christmas season is upon us. The turkey has been eaten. The conversations had. The tree may be up. Now, if we let it, life changes gears, adopting a different speed.
driven
split
hurried
commercial
chaos
stress
Marketing increases, Black Friday looms, cash flows, and souls are sold for cheaper deals. Well, okay, maybe we don’t sell our souls. We certainly can find ourselves in a stressful time of the year. Some have the resources to fling the glitz and glamour and paper and tech toys; some struggle with a single string of lights and giving the simplest of gifts.
But all of this is not foredrawn; there is no essential aspect dictating the Christmas season to be one of skyrocketing blood pressure and cause for arguments where ones never before existed.
It is a choice. A decision we make. A rebellion of the mind and heart to move contrary to the world’s flavor of Christmas chaos and commercialism. It is a discipline to say, “I won’t fall into the marketing mayhem. I’m not a victim. I will embrace simplicity and stick to the things, thoughts, and people that matter.”
A rebellion of the mind and heart to move contrary to the world’s flavor of Christmas chaos and commercialism.
Sure, giving presents is nice. But isn’t the time together with the one to whom you are giving the gift, nicer?
Sure, family gatherings are important. But shouldn’t we find time to poke through the small talk to something of substance, get to the person, their ideas, their heart, the things that form their life and yours. Slow down and focus.
Busyness is the thief of depth. Chaos steals joy. Don’t let it. Fight against it.
Build into your life space and rhythm to be with the people who matter, to cash in your time on the things which are true, real, and important - cultivate depth of spirit and soul.
Make the tree lighter
Make the presents less
Make the conversations deeper
Make the dinners simpler
Make the love more far flung.
Simplicity is a lost art form. Let’s embrace it anew this Christmastide.
Pastor Paul
Read on my wife Heather's site about how Gratitude is a Gateway
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