The holidays are coming. For many, it’s a fun and festive time. For others, it’s a period filled with anxiety and stress. But what if, instead of having to brace for impact, you set aside grace for impact?
The theme for this year’s holiday season sermons is “ChristMess: God’s Gift for a Messy World.” As we all know, the holidays can feel like a mess. However, by taking a few deep breaths, setting some foundational goals now, and giving others and yourself a heaping serving of grace, you might shift this mindset and see through the mess. Let your faith and the church be (garland-covered) pillars that you return to when things get too messy.
Anticipating the Mess
The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. Decorations pop up around the neighborhood, stores feature gift displays, and Kool 108 plays nothing but Bing Crosby and Mariah Carey. These are the signs that it’s time to center your heart and prepare the way for the Lord.
Isaiah 40:3-5
A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’
As this verse suggests, if you feel like you’re walking on uneven ground (beyond the snow and ice), preparing for the Lord will stabilize you. Faith makes our daily journey easier and smoother.
Set Seasonal Goals
What are your goals as you prepare your heart, mind, and physical space for the Christmas season? Stepping back (now that the ground is even) and setting clear, achievable holiday goals is a way to focus and organize your emotions.
In this instance, the S.M.A.R.T. framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) provides a helpful blueprint for shaping your goals. Goals could be simple such as getting your Christmas cards addressed and sent on time or baking your grandson’s favorite cookies. Or, they could be as complex as making up with your estranged relative or finding personal time away from the commotion.
Whatever your goals are, make sure they are achievable. Let them be the guiding lights that give you direction as the holidays spin around you.
Gracing for the “Busymess”
The holidays will pull us in a hundred different directions. There are gifts to wrap, meals to cook, and events to attend. While you may feel productive in this scramble, scripture reminds us that our busyness can actually wither us away. The mess drains our energy, diminishes our focus, and leaves many of us feeling lost or even sad. This is when it’s time to stop and find grace.
Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better is a handful with quiet than two handfuls with toil, and a chasing after wind.
In today’s sped-up world, the idea of slowing down has become counterintuitive. If we’re not doing something, we may feel restless or like failures. But, here is something you can do: Refocus and recenter your heart on God. When the busyness has drained you, seek meaning and purpose in God. Set aside those feelings of obligation and take time to pray, read the Bible, or simply rest.
Find Meaning in the Birth of Christ
As you set goals and find your grace during the Advent season, remember why we celebrate. Over 2,000 years ago, the son of God was born and forever changed the world. As Lutherans and Christians, we come together to reflect on the message of love and salvation that Jesus brought. We join with our friends, neighbors, and family to remember the sacrifice He made and the love He continues to grace us all with. It is a time to join hands, break bread, and share gifts, both physical and spiritual.
While the secular celebration of Christmas has accelerated the holiday’s messier aspects, we can always return to its core meaning to find comfort. As many of our blogs remind us: Be still, breathe.
King of King’s Doors are Open
We know the holidays take a toll on people. Instead of making that Nth trip to the mall, steer your heart toward the church. Give yourself the gift of calm within a deeply caring faith community. In addition to our regular Sunday worship services, we have a downloadable Advent Devotional written by pastors, leaders, and congregation members. Please check it out!