Plan B, C, and D

As a pastor, I have gotten used the fact that we don’t always celebrate the holidays right on the actual day. Since we have worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas isn’t always the best day to travel, we often spend a later day with my mom up north. My son’s schedule is so crazy that between us, we have a hard time finding a date that works. We were going to see my mom for Thanksgiving, but there was a blizzard. Still need to work out Thanksgiving with her. The first attempt with my son, I wasn’t sure if I was infected, so we passed. Then we rescheduled, but his job called him in to work that day. Now we have been shooting texts back and forth trying to juggle schedules. I think we celebrated Christmas with them in early February last year. The best made plans often need to be adjusted. Why did I burden you with my plans when you have your own struggles to get together? I want you to ask the question of whether you really need to do all the things you do leading up to Christmas or whether you need to be in charge of all of them. Maybe the meals can be put together by a number of different members of the family. Maybe you need to go to one less Christmas party. Do you need to fret over all the gifts? Are you going overboard? Do you have time to just sit down as a family and enjoy that fellowship? Maybe you can pause before opening up gifts, or the meal, or some other part of the family get-together to read the Christmas story from the Bible in Matthew or Luke. Invite family and friends to join you for worship, whether Christmas Eve, Day, or just a regular Sunday. My point is, figure out what is really important. Maybe drop some things that are too overwhelming. Make sure the main priorities remain the priorities. Use the family time to tell stories, share experiences, discuss future goals, and mix in a large dose of laughter and love. Our kids are making something of their own lives, and we are so proud of them. We miss not seeing them as often and so we need to make the most of the times we have. It is such a joy to have a church family to worship with, study with, mourn with, and celebrate with. My prayer is not only for you enjoy your own families, but that you are richly blessed as grow with your church families daily. Father, thank You for family and friends. May we grow in faith and in love this season as You prepare us for the coming year. Amen