13 Days to Christmas, Friday, Dec 12, 2025

“Half Full and Half Empty”

We’ve reached the halfway point of the 2025 Holiday Season.  Woohoo! Or, for some, “yikes!”

Often, we’re asked to choose between an optimistic or a pessimistic outlook, but right now, many of us are feeling a mix of both. By midday today, we’ll have experienced half of the 2026 Holiday Season. Have we enjoyed it? Have we missed anything? Do we feel ahead or behind in our plans?

This reflection is important because churches, in particular, are feeling the crunch. We have two of the biggest Sundays of the year ahead, along with Christmas Eve. There are plenty of tasks that demand our attention to make this season meaningful for everyone.

Do you feel that pressure in your own life? Is there something ahead that truly demands your focus? I’m not talking about the superficial tasks like gift buying, but more about the meaningful responsibilities, like preparing a holiday meal, or hosting a gathering that requires your attention.

How do we handle these genuine stresses? Perhaps a little dose of Christmas Peace can help. It’s that elusive theme we often forget in the moments we need it most.

Pause. Take a breath. Thirteen days is plenty of time, and if it doesn’t feel like it, maybe God is guiding us toward something different. God doesn’t want us to be anxious. Even if we’ve missed something, it’s okay. God is leading us toward Christmas, the best day ever.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7, NRSVue)