Yes I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, especially during these last two weeks of the year when we are all running around like a chicken with our head cut off trying to arrange parties, gifts and plan our 'resolutions' for 2018. Easy does it... 2018 is going to happen whether or not you have a party or plan resolutions.... the earth completed it's trip around the sun without any fanfare for many centuries before the people of today turned it into a giant ball of commercial over-done fake stress fest.
My post earlier today talked about not letting the crazy of Christmas wear you down... don't. Let the crazy wear you down I mean. It's Christmas Eve, and I'll admit I should be at church. Yet right now I am not being spiritually fed by my place of worship, even during this Holiday season. It's a hard thing to deal with, especially when your church family is there, you want to be there, but on the other hand you just leave there feeling empty in the faith department. But that's not what this post is about... the book of my faith states that where two are gathered in my name there is where church is, where we will pray and worship. I'm sitting back and watching my friend Rev. Dawn Blundell at Epworth UMC this morning as she posts her sermons via FB Live Stream. She is a wonderful speaker, pastor, and a compassionate, loving friend. I have known her for years.
There's a lot of things we should all be doing, but but who wrote the list of 'shoulds' and are they going to police it if we don't do it? Don't get your panties in a bunch... I'm not telling you to stop doing all your traditions, I'm just saying to pare down the ones that have lost their 'luster'. You know, the ones that were super trendy way back in 1995 but now you're wondering why you and your family are gathered around this animated trout mounted above the fireplace singing Jingle Bells with a very bad digitized southern accent. You see where I'm going with this. I apologize if I offended anyone's sensibilities if this is the cornerstone of their Christmas Tradition. I have seen families put up trees for each child, wow.... I had to share one tree with my siblings and cousin. That was the great mystery, who got what under the tree. I'm not a parent, I guess I don't get it. As the casual observer it just seems very overindulgent and that child's concept of sharing is going to be very limited. Like I said, I am not a parent so I am not even going to go there...
Well, if I were in church, the final hymn would be being sung and we would be gathering our things to head out into the chilly Northern CA weather. Remember, it's not where you are, it's who you are with... where two are more are gathered in His name. Remember that you do not HAVE to do everything. Lastly... make some new traditions that involve taking the time to take care of you, which will in turn give you the peace of mind and ability to take care of your family and those around you.
Sacred Spaces begins January 5th, with the first list of items for your space being posted on December 30th. This will be both a written and video series so please keep your eyes posted on my YouTube Channel Altered Whimseys, but here first on my blog.
Merry Christmas Eve!
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