Every minute, every hour, every day... to be real.
Jesus' arrival was permanent, not a holiday visit.
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." - John 1:14 NIV
(This one begins with the end in mind, written January 2023.)
It's Epiphany, January 6, and as such technically the first day of the next season of the Christian calendar, "common time" it's often referred as. From Christmas Day until last night, the 5th, there were 12 days that in many previous generations marked a short season of rest, family nearness, generosity and reflection.
Our culture has over some generations now adjusted to a different rhythm that treats the month (or 6-8 weeks, or the days since school started for the fall) as the "season" in which we spread the cheer, prepare, buy, host, party, etc etc etc to the point that Christmas Day is an arrival point and many are ready for a break or a return to some kind of routine before December ends (or possibly the day after New Year's if we've held on and considered that part of "the holidays").
I don't have a problem with celebrating early or lining up with everyone else's joy and cheer from thanksgiving until Christmas, that's where it's at and, very much the extrovert, I soak in the buzz that is in the air and love having as much time as possible to think on the season and do meaningful things with my family.
But as I've written in other posts, the beauty, mystery and promise of Christmas seems to be hindered if it's limited to an arrival point of one day of "magic"... what happens if the day doesn't go as hoped for? What if it just flies by? What if you stayed up all night before wrapping and you sleep through it? Is it... just... over?? And that's that? Even on the BEST Christmas days I've experienced, limiting it to one day seems to cut off it's circulation somewhat, its airflow. Like it needs some room before and after for it to truly live as a protected day/space/time that people join together worldwide for in the joy and Spirit that we should. Because for those precious moments that we realize and are present, it simply doesn't seem right that not all of life is like that.
So, everyone's rhythm with the season is different. Everyone's limitations are different, and everyone's situation is too. But I have been finding that protecting some time on the back end of what would be the "traditional" season of Christmas provides for good reflection and a continued rhythm of slower living that I think can be of great benefit to us in recharging more fully and transitioning into the more mundane days the rest of the winter seems to have coming at us.
Because shouldn't the point be that something was gained on a soul level after we walk through such a season together? Shouldn't something deeply important about what we experience during the Christmas season (however it's best defined for your circumstance) impact us and LAST?
I might just be too deep a thinker, but I gotta believe many of you feel this too...
I love all the candy canes, snacks, junk and peppermint flavored everything I can drink or eat in celebration around the holidays. Those things are designed to just be CONSUMED, and for their context that's wholly awesome :).
But I'm not so sure my TIME around the holidays was meant to be that way, at least not in most cases. I shudder to think about treating my heart, hopes, emotions, imagination and wonder as commodities that are there to look good for a few weeks and then thrown out with the wreaths, tree and wrapping paper. Surely the ways those aspects of ourselves are touched during this truly unique time of year are not real only until the stroke of midnight on the 26th (like the Ghost of Christmas Present) or even as long as my tree is still up (yikes, i promised my wife it would be down this weekend now that Epiphany is here). And most importantly not consumable are the ways I've been drawn close to the heart of Jesus, sensed a true peace, realized encouraging things about God's character, or the mutual moments of love and trust I've shared in moments with family, friends or even in a beautiful story.
Something was supposed to not only arrive, but to last...
Something about the way the world seems to accept that Christmas has arrived, then is gone, and moved on, just feels like it doesn't do it all justice. Like, at least in some sense, it was just a tease.
Something about the way followers of Jesus seem to accept that Jesus CAME, but move on like He's not STILL HERE doesn't do this arrival story justice either. Even often if it's encased in the larger story of his death and resurrection, much Christian thinking around this time still seems to leave out talk or celebration of the enduring presence of this child, this PERSON that was born to us. We seem to still move on, too quickly (though should we at all?) from the fact that He's HERE. The fullness of God, represented in man, then leaving the fullness of Himself in the presence of a very real and present Spirit.
Think about that. In this case, the true "Spirit" of Christmas actually NEVER has left, and never does. He arrived, and He remained with us.
I wonder what it might take for us to live with that understanding long after December?
And I don't mean "how religious" we remain after Christmas, but living into the truths that make their way to the forefront of our minds and hearts during it.
Attempting or planning for some slower rhythms through Advent, Christmas and Epiphany can certainly help with this. As can being present to the moment in all the weeks leading up to it. Even in the newer, unexpected or unplanned stuff.
The reality is that "making time" or "room" is often easier said than done and your understanding of that may vary greatly than mine. It leaves room for grace and freedom to make whatever adjustments you really feel is needed for your soul and the souls of your family this time of year.
But I think to bridge this, there's a mentality shift that many of us need to make. Maybe it's time to let go of the "hard cutoff" to the permission we give ourselves for family time, soul time, etc. after December. Maybe some of those practices, as possible, need to stick around a while. We help ourselves bridge our practice and belief into our everyday life when we let go of the compartmental mentality.
It's not just about the feelings, but some of those joyful ones point to something that shouldn't be experienced only during "the most wonderful time of the year." I challenge all of us to allow ourselves to embrace that joy in all seasons of life!
Signing off with some words from a different type of Christmas song written in the last few years by Hillsong Worship. (Definitely check this one out, it has a unique, immersive sound and feel to it and there are many incredibly crafted lyrics. The following simply says so well what I've tried to speak to in today's reflection.)
Hail His arrival the God of Creation
Royalty robed in the flesh he created
Jesus, the maker, has made himself known
All hail the infinite, infant God. "
("Arrival", Hillsong Worship)
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Additional Reflection:
"Arrival" - Song by Hillsong Worship
"A Walk One Winter's Night" - A Short Story by Al Andrews ( https://a.co/d/3GQwrfr )
"REAL" - Song by Nicole Nordeman, inspired by the same book. (I quoted from this song in very top line of post).
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