Five things Friday roundup: 'Twas the week before Christmas

On this final Friday before Christmas, I’m pausing to reflect on what I need for the week ahead. Preparing for Christmas gatherings and celebrations can be difficult emotionally and spiritually. I invite you to reflect on what you need in the coming week and take time for your own nourishment.

1. Rest

I reflected earlier this month on stillness during this Advent season, which often is a season full of parties, events, concerts and consumerism that induces frenzied activity. In this final week of Advent, I return to the question: What does it mean to stop and rest and truly be in Christ’s presence?

2. Preparation for family time

Often extended time with family reminds us of tensions in the family system or conflict that feels unsurmountable. There’s much we can do to prepare for this time, and to do so with hope and expectation that it can be a joyful time (and not just a trial). This article from Linda and Reen Waterman has some helpful tips for preparing for and enjoying family time, including the important reminder to begin with prayer.

3. Listen to music

Don’t underestimate the power of music! According to the study The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease, by Zaatar, Alkakim, Enayeh, and Tamer, there are an array of benefits to music. Particularly interesting to me are the emotional resonance benefits. The highlights summarize what the study found in this way: “Music profoundly impacts emotional states, offering therapeutic benefits in alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression.”

In this season of shorter days, when complicated feelings surround family, as well as many other stressors, it’s a perfect time to spend time listening to music. Whether it’s a live concert, playing a simple melody on the piano, sharing a favorite song with a friend, there are many ways to engage with music, both sacred and secular, for your spiritual and mental health in this season.

4. Longest night

In the central part of Kansas, Blue Christmas or Longest Night Services are becoming more common. This longest night of the year allows holy time and space to acknowledge that this Advent/Christmas season isn’t joyful for everyone, particularly those grieving loss, loneliness, despair or struggling with health, whether mentally, physically or spiritually. Give yourself (and those dear to you) space and permission to feel, acknowledge and grieve this week. For many this is not “the most wonderful time of the year,” and that, in itself, can be a deep grief for various reasons. Consider searching for a Longest Night service near you and attend to acknowledge the lack of joy in your life or in other attendees, or take a minute to pray for those present at the service.

5. Incarnation

I know I’ve mentioned this song before, but as my family has worked through an Advent Bible study this month, I have been struck anew at the complete incomprehensibility of the incarnation. As the Downhere song “How many kings” says, “How many kings step down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least? How many gods have poured out their hearts to romance a world that is torn all apart?” We even too easily reduce these words, king and lord, to human dimensions. It’s miraculous that a king or a lord would do such a thing . . . but we serve a God that is so much more than this!

As was presented during a children’s time at my church a few weeks ago, it would be like if one of us, giving up our humanity, agreed to enter the Lego world so carefully created by our children so that we could speak to the other Lego people. Just think about it: we’d be reduced in size, status, power, ability to move and SO much more! Jesus’ birth was not just a precious baby joining the family; it was not only a king abandoning his throne. It was something so much more powerful and incomprehensible: God truly pouring out his deep, deep love for you and me. And that is a reason worth celebrating. May you find peace in your Christmas preparations and know God’s love this Christmas.