First Baptist Church of Herndon

Lost in the Holidays

Linda Soller | Dec 02, 2019

Thanksgiving has come and gone, along with the long weekend many of us enjoy. For most the frenzy of Christmas shopping is in full tilt. So, what do you remember about last week? Really, if you had to list only three things about last week what would you list? I think it’s a bit scary to consider how fast time seems to fly by and how little time I spend doing something worth remembering. It’s like I get lost in the holidays.

Last week for me was one of preparation for the family gathering at my house for Thanksgiving dinner. I’ve gotten so much better about planning, cleaning, cooking, and such. But the week is a blur. There is a part of me that I lose in the hustle and bustle. Not one for joining the shopping throngs in the stores, I had most of my shopping done by Monday. My system of year-round shopping/stashing for Christmas is helpful on the one hand, but I lose the excitement I remember as a child helping my Dad with his shopping on Christmas Eve.  Decorating the church was lovely. Decorating my house was work. I’ve spent the last six months decluttering and finding calm in my home. As festive as the holiday decorations are, I have lost that sense of calm as they fill the nooks and crannies.

Advent began on December 1 which happened to be my birthday. For a gift to myself I got a wonderful wooden advent calendar – or more accurately advent tree. My husband and I don’t need treats every day but there will be one behind each door just in case. Whenever someone opens a door, I hope to tell them what advent means to me. You see, I realized last week that I am not the only one who gets lost in the holidays. Sometimes God gets lost as well. Aren’t Thanksgiving and Christmas about Him? Isn’t greeting the new year a gift from God? Find your balance, your calm, your hope. Don’t get lost in the holidays.

Be humble, be grateful, and be love in our world this week! :o) Linda