25 Days to Christmas, Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021

“Christmas Change”

Woohoo!  Twenty-five days to Christmas!  This means that tomorrow the Freeform Network is beginning its “25 Days to Christmas” marathon!  Every day, their programming schedule will include lots of Christmas favorites.  Yes, I’ll have to admit that I’m a bit sappy when it comes to the Holidays, but come on, just about everyone has a favorite Christmas movie scene that brings them to their knees, laughing or crying. 

Whether you are a laugher or crier, this Holiday Season is certain to bring plenty of emotion.  One of the things I’ve already noticed is that some of my favorite traditions will not be experienced this year.  Whereas last year I blamed it on the pandemic, this year I’m facing the truth that some of my favorite traditions are gone forever, for a variety of reasons.

The loss of some of my traditions is not going to be pleasant for me, or for others who are in a similar position.  It’s kinda’ like looking for your favorite Christmas show, only to realize that Freeform Network isn’t carrying it this year.  Rather, it’s been purchased by a third party who is requiring you to pay a fee to watch your favorite.  Bah, Humbug!  However, this shouldn’t cause us to give up on Christmas before Christmas begins. 

Stuff like this is validly upsetting, but it doesn’t have to control our experience this year (or any year, for that matter).  If we aren’t changing, then we aren’t growing.  And if we aren’t growing, then we are moving in the wrong direction.   

One of the gifts of Christmas is that Christmas will always be with us.  Another gift of Christmas is that our Christmas experience will change each year.  The changes, though they are different from what we prefer today, might prove to become our most endearing traditions tomorrow, bringing great gifts and blessings that we couldn’t begin to imagine.  So, let it happen.  In fact, invite them in!  It’s Christmas Change and the best is yet to come.

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.”  (Luke 12:27-28, New Living).

 26 Days to Christmas, Monday, Nov 29, 2021

“Thankful for Monday”

Cheers to the fourth-best Monday in the whole year!  That’s right!  After today, there are only three more Mondays before Christmas, with each one better than the previous one.  Oh, don’t roll your eyes yet.  Today is not a participation award or consolation prize.  Today, we have a real reason to be excited: Christmas IS coming this year and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the carols, hang the decorations, and plan the get-togethers.  Sure, last year, the Holiday Season was kinda’ a party-pooper, but this year is different because we’ve seen first-hand that nothing can stop Christmas!

Of course, the author of this little article is supposed to be overly optimistic.  Given the challenges we’ve faced during these last couple of years, though, I think all of us have reason to celebrate.   If you’re not able to come up with your own reasons to be Hopeful, then maybe your beating heart, place of shelter, and heartburn from too much turkey will stir some answers.  If not, take a look outside and describe to yourself what you see.  The eyes you are using (even if they don’t work quite as well as previously), your ears that are annoyed by obnoxious neighbors (even after you turn down your hearing aid), and the shivers we feel from the weather outside are evidence of reasons to holler, “YeeHaw!”

Most of us probably already realize that, at heart, we’re all just being whiney when something like a Monday arrives.  Terrible things, like work, school, and a renewed set of weekly responsibilities bring us down (Why is that?).  We spend our time focusing on what we can’t do, what we used to be able to do, and why the world is so imperfect, all while sitting on our throne of self-pity.

No, this isn’t a sermon about tough love (this author disapproves of tough love).  Rather, this is a “Wake up and get another cup of coffee before you stick your head in the toilet” sermon that all of us should consider from time to time.  

We are blessed.  We do have it good.  We’re reading a blog on our phones and tablets, for gosh-sakes.  This is not such a terrible place to be today.  It’s not such a terrible world.

Today is the first Monday of Advent, the fourth-best Monday of the year, and it can be the beginning of something special this Christmas.  Find some time to say a prayer of thanks today.  If you’re feeling really bold, try reading a scripture passage (like the one below). You might be surprised how much God will do, especially when we are thankful for another Monday. 

“What a beautiful thing, GOD, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God!  To announce your love each daybreak, sing your faithful presence all through the night, Accompanied by dulcimer and harp, the full-bodied music of strings.  You made me so happy, GOD.  I saw your work and I shouted for joy!  How magnificent your work, GOD!  How profound your thoughts!”  (Psalm 92:1-5, The Message).

 27 Days to Christmas, Sunday, Nov 28, 2021

“It’s Time to Have Hope!”

Yes!  It’s time!  Finally, the Christmas Season of 2021 has arrived.  Last year, the Holidays arrived with all the fanfare of the gunk molded to the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.  We were still locked down by the evil villain named “COVID”.  Vaccines were not yet in place and we were trying to figure out which Holiday traditions could be maintained.  Churches were especially hit hard as our normal Holiday interactions and attendance were but a fraction of our numbers in previous years.  It was a strange and difficult season, for sure, and one that looks much better in the rearview mirror. 

This year, things are a bit different. We’re still scratching our heads as COVID variants emerge, but, for the most part, we’ve returned to normal.  Some traditions are restrained and larger family gatherings are still difficult to arrange, but we’re figuring it out.

There is one thing, though, that is very different about this Holiday Season:  Hope has returned.  I’m not sure where it went, but last year Hope was difficult to find.  This year, Hope has emerged with renewed energy.  Christmas lights are flying off the shelves and trees are strapped to the tops of vehicles.  It seems like folks are determined to make this Holiday Season special, no matter what surfaces. 

If we take a moment to think about it, choosing to be determined in finding Hope is a very healthy perspective.  Hope helps us to weather a pandemic, economic distress, and heightened loneliness in life.  Being determined to find Hope allows God’s work to permeate more of our lives.  Why?  When we are Hopeful, we are more aware of what God is accomplishing.  When we are determined in Hope, we are equipped to weather the storms. 

God is showing us that no matter what happens, the Hope of Christmas is real, indeed!  Take some time this week to consider what God has accomplished in your life this past year.  Sure, it will require us to consider some past challenges, but move quickly through those and focus on the good that God provided.  It’s there.  If we look closely enough, we’ll see that it’s there in abundance.

It’s time!  The Hope of the LORD at Christmas is here!

“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.”  (Isaiah 40:31, CEB).