Especially when it comes to their feelings towards the Christmas season.
On one hand some are truly excited. Sharing on Facebook and other mediums their joy.
Posting pictures of their tree and maybe decorations they just purchased for the year. One friend of mine recently took a time lapse video of the tree event and shared it around.
On the other hand some are truly agitated. Sharing on Facebook and other mediums their displeasure.
Posting anti Christmas thoughts and desires.
Expressing how they are having to endure not enjoy.
Now before you may stop reading if you are offended by this, can I please say this to you?
My heart is for those who don't like the season!
You probably have a reason for not liking it. A very powerful reason.
The season may remind you of a loss or something you don't have.
There maybe memories of past Christmas times you would rather forget and not relive every year!
I want to encourage all of us to make some memories this year.
Can I encourage you to not let past memories dictate your feelings into the future?
I am not asking you to dive into the commercial aspects of this at all...but to find a way to embrace the true meaning behind Christmas?
This story may help?
For our 2nd Christmas as a couple, Suze and I found ourselves not having family or anywhere particular to go.
Because we didn't have a lot we decided to keep things simple and even invite some others who were in a similar position to us. Unfortunately this plan failed. Not only did no one show up. We found ourselves lamenting a very quiet and lonely Christmas.
The next year we were determined to never let it happen again!
Suze cooked a Turkey the day before. We drove up to a beach north of Auckland with a Christmas themed picnic and looked for a blooming pohutakawa to rest under.
It was an amazing Christmas even though it was quiet.
We created new memories to help counter the old.
For the next few years that is what we looked forward to and planned for. That pohutakawa resting spot with a Christmas picnic. It was bliss!
I think that is the key...
Tradition if working for you is nice. But something truly meaningful is thought out and planned.
For the last few years, in part because we don't have family where we live, we invite others to join us for lunch. We are creating new memories for ourselves and others to help build something good into our lives.
And maybe, just maybe, that is a little of what this Jesus would like us to do and participate in, this Christmas season?
Something to think about...
No comments:
Post a Comment