Merry Christmas

Christmas 2020 is almost upon us. If you have noticed, we are surrounded by all that Christmas has been for years and is even today. Have you noticed or is it just me, but there seems to more outside decorations this year than years past. Later last evening I took time to even notice the decorations inside home windows on our street. With no traffic on the street, I slowed down and took a look. Where the drapes had always been closed in the evening, people threw them open wide, showing a festive interior with lights and decorations everywhere including on a handpicked trees.

I'm not saying this Christmas is the best one ever, but I personally have taken pause to notice things. Could it be this pandemic is helping us to realize what is most important? Important things that were, shall I say it, lost in our busyness. For years I have been saying, SLOW DOWN. Maybe there are many of us who have more time on our hands to change things up a little. In our home we have done the opposite. We have done less decorating because we found amazing other ways to spend our time that go lost years ago in our rush through life.

Maybe it's the beginning of something new, and something beautiful. Yes, I know what those in the know are saying; 'people do not like change'. The new normal not only has forced change but I think it's what we have needed for year. So I say Thank You. With possible greater lock-downs coming we will have to change our Christmas once more. It will include good old phone calling, face-timing, Messenger etc. And while we are embracing the digital age, we will get to see our family and friends who are too far away to visit. And we will get to see their decorations as we share ours.

For too long we have been motivated by doing, accomplishing, buying, hording and just trying to keep up appearances. That word reminds me of the tv program from England, Keeping up Appearances. Now, all this busy stuff is stripped away and the people behind that way of life can sit and enjoy the moment.

Reminds me of two stories. First is the story of Mary and Martha who had Jesus over. Mary sat at Jesus feet listening and hanging on Jesus every word, while Martha was focused on getting supper ready. Second is the same picture with different characters, and those characters are you & me. We may not have to be all Martha's this year. Just so you know, I think this can be the most important good thing about what is happen this year.

We can all be Mary this year, but for us, it will be standing beside the manger and looking down into the radiant face of Jesus. 'Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.'

Something to think about

Merry Christmas

Rob