I post every Tuesday, but this past week, the time got away from me. I hate to promise to do something and then renege, so I sat down to write my blog late tonight (Monday). I had planned on writing a nice article about priorities, but I didn't get to it. How ironic is that? So instead, I'm offering some thoughts about this most unusual Christmas season.
It's the Christmas season, but it's not like any we've ever experienced. (Heck, the whole year is not like any we've ever experienced. If anyone had told me that no one would go to church on Easter, I would never have believed that.) And it looks like we won't be observing Christmas at church, either.
I've never been so disconnected from the world. Yes, I Zoom with friends and family, but the sense of togetherness is not the same. Get this: on Halloween, I hugged a neighbor. She remarked that was the first non-family hug in months. She was right. And it felt terrific. To put it into context, we were standing on the sidewalk and had just finished praying for another neighbor who was taken away by ambulance. Hugging felt right. It was right. We need that connection. (The neighbor is fine, by the way.)
This year, there's a distance between us, whether we want to admit it or not. I've had friends on social media who try to reframe the situation for everyone. It sort of annoys me. I'm an adult and can come to my own conclusions. Those types of "suggestions" feel like I'm being gaslighted. This is not a normal year. I'm not going to pretend it's a new normal. The past several months have been the furthest thing from normal I've ever gone through.
My advice for this craziest of Christmas seasons?
Keep calm and carry on. Get some perspective, this virus will pass on.
Try to keep your Christmas traditions, as much as possible. Traditions create opportunities to connect with friends and family, so it's important to maintain them, even if it means tweaking them.
Put aside your anger and frustration. It drains you emotionally.
Maintain a sense of loving others.
Intentionally look for the good.
Continue to read your Bible.
"Attend" church virtually. I plan on pulling out some candles to light with my family on Christmas Eve, so we can listen and sing along to Silent Night.
Enjoy time with those in your household. Appreciate the folks who are your number-ones.
Text friends and family to let them know you're thinking of them.
Keep a sense of humor about our world gone mad.
Remember the reason for the season: Jesus Christ came to bridge the gap between earth and eternity. (If you're curious about my choice to live for Christ, visit here next Tuesday. I always post my story of faith the middle of December.)
Hang in there, friends. The world has gone through dark times before, and we'll get through this, too.
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