Let Go of Your Busy To-Do List

            As I write these words, my house is far from decorated for Christmas morning, but my heart is full with the story of God coming to us (God-with-us).  It is that time in the Advent season where pastors are knee-deep in thinking about the Christmas Eve service and likely recovering from the various special services that have already been held.  We are literally immersed in the story and that is a good thing.

            Years ago, this time of the year felt more stressful.  There were all these things going on in church and there was still Christmas shopping to be done, cookies to be baked, the house to be decorated with those things that mean so much to us (and before that, the house to be cleaned and rearranged so the tree could even fit in the room).  Over time, I learned to “shop” during the summer, start Christmas cards on Thanksgiving weekend, and yes, prepare liturgies in October.  That behavioral change was a stress reliever, but things still felt hectic. Now, I will admit, having family living in distant cities has made some decisions seem less urgent.  Now I just pay attention to shipping deadlines.

            That said, circumstances have made this Christmas season quite wonderful, if not fully decorated.  I haven’t had Christmas carols on as background music reminding me to do this or that.  But I have heard the words and the music of Christmas with a new intensity this year.  During our somewhat impromptu nativity presentation Carla asked us to sing the first verse of several carols.  We didn’t have hymnals or accompaniment, someone started the carol, and we joined in out of our collective faith memories.  I wasn’t able to attend the National Cathedral’s presentation of the Messiah in person, but we were able to be present through online technology.  We had no distractions and could immerse ourselves in the power of word and music.  Writing liturgy and sermon based on the mural in the sanctuary allowed me a different entry point into the familiar story.  I may not have the house fully decorated, but the story of Bethlehem is all around me.

            My witness to you is let go of your busy to-do list.  Most will get done anyway.  That which doesn’t is OK.  Allow yourself to hear the mystery of angel song, see the shining of the Light, hear the ancient words of testimony, taste the sweetness of God’s Love.

            May you have a Happy and a Blessed Christmas.  And, I hope to see you Christmas Eve!

Rev. Clara