United Church of Warsaw

When Less Creates Spaces for More-December 2007

“Tis the season to be jolly” – no, scratch that – the reality for most of us is: “Tis the season to be frantic!” This is absolutely the busiest time of the year. There are parties and special activities to enjoy (concerts, plays, etc. etc. etc.). Family gatherings to plan and attend (and sometimes referee)…the Christmas cards to write…the presents to buy and wrap… food to prepare…and services to attend at church and in the community. All these things can be very enjoyable. So why is it that so many of us enter the month of December feeling overwhelmed and exhausted just thinking about what awaits us? Why does something that is meant to bring us peace and joy leave us feeling so frantic and overextended? Perhaps the reason is that we are so busy celebrating Christmas from one end of December ‘til the other that we miss the opportunity to observe the special season that takes place before December 25^th – Advent.Advent provides a remarkable opportunity for people to do what we really need to do – dial down the drama, slow down and wake up to what really matters – to step back from the hustle and bustle of life and quietly prepare a place in our hearts and lives for the Christ Child. It is a time to engage in things that have true and lasting meaning, not just things that glitter because of tinsel and blinking lights. It is the heart and soul of our journey as Christians – God loving us so much that God chooses a human birth into poverty so that Jesus would be Lord of all, not just Lord of a privileged few. This kind of awesome good news requires peace and time to soak deeply into our souls. Unless we stop and allow our hearts to pay attention to this joyous good news, we can miss the true blessings of this special time by being distracted by the lovely, lesser joys the holiday brings – tinsel instead of true treasure.This good news also requires a response, and until we slow down enough to fully grasp the gift God offers each one of us at Christmas, our hearts will not be truly touched, and our response will be superficial. The miracle of Christmas is its capacity to change and transform us- if we allow that to happen. From that place of transformation we can then respond to the world around us with hearts on fire with love, compassion and mercy.My challenge to us all this December is to do less of what we normally do, so there is space and time to do more of what really matters. Spend less time racing around attending many activities, and instead pick just a few that are meaningful and truly enjoy them. Send fewer cards (giving the environment a break), and instead, have meaningful contact with people. Spend less money on gifts that people do not need, and instead, give gifts that can make a difference in the lives of those who truly are in need. For example, instead of getting your favorite Uncle yet another tie, go to resources like http://www.churchworldservice.org/ or http://www.seva.org/ or http://www.worldvisiongifts.org/ and give a gift of compassion in honor of the people you love- like safe drinking water, or a school kit for children, or sight-saving surgery for someone who is blind. This type of gift would make the Christ child smile. And as you live out Christ’s call to be loving and compassionate, pay attention to those around you who may be experiencing isolation, loneliness and depression during the long nights of December and January, and remember to include them in your circle of care.By taking steps this Advent to do less, you will have the opportunity to have and do so much more this holiday season – more time to spend in meaningful activities with those you love, a more compassionate response to those who are in need (and to the environment), and more opportunities to prepare your heart to receive the Christ child and to be transformed by the miracle of Christmas…which is what this season is all about.May you and your loved ones have a blessed, miraculous Advent and Christmastide.

With love and prayers,
Kim