The holiday season is here. This is a wonderful time of year; however, it can be somewhat overwhelming. Many of us find that there are too many places to go and so many things to do. Delightful things, wonderful things, meaningful things that we want to do, indeed anxiously await taking part in. The problem is that there are only 24 hours in a day and many of those hours are already committed to the business of ordinary living. Almost every day requires work, tending to family, keeping up a home, and various other commitments. If we find the rush of this season overwhelming, what can we do?

            I find that the advice which is, and has been most helpful to me, is to slow down. “It” will get done, and what if our preparations are not perfect? As a reformed perfectionist I have come to understand that I am not perfect; the people we are preparing to celebrate the season for, and with, are not perfect either. Sometimes I have to remind myself of a hard earned, and slowly learned, nugget of wisdom; when you have done all you can do, you have done all you can do. Enjoy the season, celebrate these special days with those who are dear to you, and do not let excessive expectations consume you.

            Our families and friends are not expecting a perfect Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving. If they know us and love us they will truly appreciate the efforts and love we have put into our preparations for these important celebrations. After all, the purpose of Thanksgiving gatherings is to be together and give thanks. God has blessed us with many blessings, we need to stop and meditate on those blessings. May we use His gifts so that they are blessings to us and to those we love.

            Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are drawing near. You do not need to consult a calendar to know that the season draws near. If you have email your “in-box" is probably filling up with “special Black Friday“ offers. Your mail boxes are probably bursting with catalogues with Christmas offers.  There is also fairly new, to me, idea of children and grandchildren posting Christmas wish list, to be purchased on Amazon. The signs of the approaching Christmas holidays are everywhere.

            I believe that Christians, and non-Christians, need to ask the “Why?” question. Why is the celebration of Christmas so special to us? Without a doubt, many adults believe that we put all this work and effort, not to mention money, in December 25th celebrations, because of nostalgia. Adults like to remember when they, and the world were young. Retailers need people to buy so that the 4th quarter of the year will be a financial success. None of these beliefs answers the “Why?” question. The answer should be obvious, but many persons do not know the answer.          

             Why do we do these things every November and December. The fourth Thursday in November is a day to express our gratitude to our heavenly Father for his blessings and his care for us. Christmas, Christ’s Mass, is to rejoice and be glad for the birth of Jesus Christ. May we always remember that God’s Son came into this world for us. May we remember that Jesus Christ was born to save sinner’s and that He died for all mankind.

            Be thankful and rejoice for all that God has done and is doing! Be blessed and be a blessing!

 

Grace and Peace, Ben