This middle of the holiday weekday,—-and this year it is actually a Wednesday—three days between Christmas and New Year’s Day, is a day to mark for several reasons, at least psychologically.
It’s a day of recovery and planning.
We have had several days off from school, several still to go. Productivity should be at a maximum. We’re rested, full, inspired, and thinking about new beginnings.
Celebrating Christmas is simply a way to celebrate Jesus! I try to do that everyday, but Christmas is at a time of year when it’s dark and cold (really cold this year!!) and we need a bit to coax our spirits through this annual slump.
I chose to put away the Christmas decorations already this year. I believe Jesus was probably born in September due to clues in the Christmas story about where the Shepherds were hanging out. Christmas is a day to mark and celebrate, but I needed to get on with things this year.
Today it’s dark at 7am, but the hours of sunlight are visibly lengthening.
For the depressed this is actually palpable and positive.
Christmas is hard for those of us who have lost.
The last two years have been a slow motion crawl toward acceptance. I have had to accept that my life is completely different from any of my expectations and that I am past my expiration date to begin anew.
I am turning 60. My dad’s death and previous decline showed me I am tied to my family. I can’t run from my pain. New beginnings may be attempted, but they are hard to achieve. I am still attempting.
I am talking about positive new beginnings. To begin a life that is full of sadness and pain is an option, but not a good new beginning.
Here on this Wednesday between Christmas and New Year’s Day I plan to work out, plan, clean, and pray.
My personality type makes lists: endless lists. I don’t check things off, I just write everything down. I did that for years. It’s helpful to me, actually. I keep in my mind the things that I must. I have a compass of things important.
It’s sort of like the series from IBLP “Command of Christ.” You cannot possibly follow the 49 commands at all times, but knowing them and practicing them as they become relevant is the goal. The book likens it to a ship’s navigation system. It’s a good analogy. The compass and the tools are there to guide the ship. The ship gets to the port by their help and guidance.
IF you haven’t seen that series, you should. It’s simply excellent. If you love Jesus you should obey His commands. The Bible says that.
So, along with the list of Christ’s commands I will make my own list of resolutions. It’s a long list. One thing on the list is to lighten up and enjoy the beauty of Minnesota. I have been tied down for so long I need to stretch my wings. I’m going to get out the convertible and drive around the lakes this summer. I’ve lost weight and I feel healthy. I’ll let my hair down and breathe the clean air! I want to get confident at towing the Scamp up to Crosslake and beyond…the dogs can join me!
I want to publish my artwork on my blogs, finish illustrating my latest book, excel at Chinese, make some recordings, read all the books that have been gathering dust, clean and purge, define Corgi Hollows, travel.
Let’s think big. It’s Wednesday between Christmas and New Year’s, after all.
I’m so glad we love and belong to a God that created us, loves us, forgives us, understands us, and lets us begin new every morning.
He lets us begin new every year, month, week, day, minute. This is even a new millennium. The 1,000 year-reign of Jesus Christ is on our horizon. I’m looking ahead to reigning with Christ, in the flesh. That’s Scriptural.
So on this important day of setting goals and being productive let’s keep the future and the hope we have central.
I’m looking up.
MARANATHA!