First Baptist Church of Herndon

Paying Attention

Linda Soller | Dec 28, 2020

Hello there. You made it through the Christmas rush, what there was of it. And how do you feel? I’m pretty certain your holiday felt different, but how do you feel? I always felt like Christmas was a crazy busy end to my year, but not so much this time. Sure, it’s at the end of the calendar year, but really Christmas is all about a beginning, not an end. I just wasn’t paying attention.

Even for Christians it can be a little confusing. December starts our Christian year, Jesus is born, then in a few months we are revisiting His death. So much time passes after Easter until Christmas and it can seem, I don’t know, a little unbalanced. Like we jump about and the beginning gets lost in the hubbub of our human priorities. True, Jesus’ birth was a beginning for Him, but also the world. Maybe we just haven’t been paying attention to the story.

I’m ready for a new year, a beginning. Part of me thinks it has to get better, but there is no guarantee. Nearly a year ago I would never have thought we would still be dealing with the pandemic at this level. A year ago, I could only guess at the additional strain the political chaos would put on our country, I would have been fearful of these challenges and their impact on our churches, our communities, our families, and our world. But in my isolation from so much that was familiar, I’m learning to pay attention. Challenges have a way of introducing you to yourself and reminding you of what you really value.  Paying attention helps highlight the lies, the egos, the power plays, the unfairness of the world. Paying attention brings a spotlight to what motivates our actions and attitudes. Sometimes we may wish it didn’t. But when you pay attention you see the goal, the light at the end of the tunnel, the teamwork, the smiles underneath the masks that shine through people’s eyes. It’s time we all start paying attention. A child was born into this world and the world was/is better for it. With God, all things are possible.

Happy New Year! :o) Linda

P.S.  Dear 2020 – Good-bye and good riddance. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!