When Andrew and Layne were young, we’d count down the days before big events by counting “darks.” It was our quirky little system, and let’s be honest, it worked better than the impatient “Are we there yet?” countdowns.
We are officially down to the darks you can count on both hands. Two handfuls of darks. Undoubtedly, your calendar reflects that reality. (And if you work on a church staff – the anxiety is real. So say a few extra kind words to Dawn, Layne, Gary, Pam, Josh, Dave, Wayne this week!)
There are Christmas parties to attend, white elephant gifts to procure, menus to plan, gifts to wrap, and enough errands to make you want to wrap yourself in tinsel and give up. Oh, and let’s not forget work, family responsibilities, and all the “surprises” that inevitably pop up this time of year. Sound familiar?
In Home Alone, Kevin McCallister’s family knew that chaos well. In their frantic preparations for a dream trip to Paris, they barely noticed Kevin. His complaints were dismissed, his feelings ignored, and he was left feeling invisible.
Ten days before Christmas, how often do we fall into that same trap? Rushing around to make everything perfect, we grow so distracted that we fail to notice what and who matters.
Is anyone feeling invisible in your midst?
What moments are slipping by as we tick tasks off our lists?
Luke 10:41-42 gives us a picture of this. Jesus was friends with a family, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
Martha is buzzing around, doing all the “important” things, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, fully present. Jesus gently reminds Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed… Mary has chosen what is better.” What if, in the middle of the holiday rush, we chose to be more like Mary?
This Christmas season, let’s pause. Let’s look up from the chaos and truly see the people around us.
Who might be feeling overlooked in your life right now?
A child waiting for you to notice their joy?
A friend hoping for a phone call?
A spouse craving connection?
Even a stranger who could use a warm smile?
It’s been a “little” busy at West lately. Operation Santa Shop. Prepping for Christmas services. SOUL Creations opened its online store and had a pop-up in Statesville Wednesday evening. Not to mention we have a booth at Merino’s Mill that has been quite successful and needs to be maintained. And – Layne had/has two big events at the West office this weekend, involving people from the greater West community (so the office needed some care).
When hearing her lay out her Friday, it included “setting up for the AMPED event.”
Layne’s language of appreciation in the workplace is “acts of service.” So instead of leaving moving tables and chairs to her 9-month pregnant self, I showed up in the daytime and Dawn showed up in the dark of the night to try to take things off her plate.
Lots of times in Layne’s life, I missed that memo.
I let work take precedence over her needs. But somewhere along the way I learned things needed to be different. So I’ve been trying more to “show up.”
Ten days from Christmas, let’s remember that the most meaningful gift we can give isn’t under the tree.
It’s our presence—our undivided, fully engaged, and love-filled presence. Take a deep breath.
Set the to-do list aside for a moment.
And ask yourself: Who needs my attention right now? This Christmas, let’s choose connection.
Grace and Peace,
Andrea