December for our family is usually such a bustling, busy time of year.
(Christmas team tilework project completed by the sixth grade co-op and sibs)
Between the band concerts and classroom cookie contests and Reindeer Runs and hosted holiday parties for track clubs and Bible studies and friend groups and family members, the merriment and noise of the season is somewhere near the decibel of a 76-trombone parade.
But this year, with no community parades or classroom parties or Sunday celebrations or holiday presentations, the usually brassy noise of this season has decrescendoed, and what’s remained of the normally festive, flashy parade is a single soloist … pointing us back to that “O Holy Night.”
It’s amazing how, without the “stuff” of the season, this dense team who requires neon flashing lights to enact change has been able to more clearly see and celebrate the SAVIOR of the season … and the precious, priceless gifts He’s bestowed upon us in 2020.
Simplicity.
Family time.
A return to books and board games.
An appreciation for one another.
After rereading in November Present Over Perfect with the dear friend I also get to call my niece, we’ve attempted (often failing) to dial back life and revel again this winter in the lingering and not the dash.
We’ve traded fast foods for family fondue nights and the rush of the season for the real REASON.
And instead of actually “meaning” to complete our Advent devotionals for 24 days this winter, we actually as a family prioritized them (confession: minus a few days of the last week of virtual-schooling-meets-high-school-finals-meets-co-op-conclusions-with-multiple-medical-and-therapy-appointments-in-the-same-72-hours).
Without concerts upon commitments upon parties upon piles of presents, we’ve (shocker!) actually had time and margin to do that thing the very Savior we celebrate has called us to — to love God and love people.
Co-op kiddos caroled outside shut-in nursing home resident windows (feeding band concerts and Spanish songs through cell phones to keep even windows from exposing the most at-risk), little hands tied knots and ribbons for families who’ve experienced indescribable loss this year.
Baking skills went to porch-delivered meals, helping hands strung lights for those who lost the physical ability this year to string them themselves.
Little hearts began asking not just what they could get in this season but what they, as those blessed in a home with a parent still employed in a pandemic, could give.
And all of us spent more time sitting with a Savior and the superheroes He gifted us than jet-setting with a schedule, all of which has produced the stillness to actually reflect upon that first Christmas night.
It’s not the Christmas any of us probably imagined when we decked the halls in 2019.
But with a little change in perspective, we’re finding it might possibly be even BETTER.
Because for this hot mess too easily distracted by the schedules and stuff of this world, it turns out that away from the noise has actually been the most wonderful way to return to the simplicity of AWAY IN A MANGER.