Everyone knows that at this time of the year people tend to reflect. But what are they reflecting on? The past? What we want for our future? Who we are today?
Today I think about the present - my present job, my parent's presence, the presence of my mind, my presently writing this piece that will soon be forgotten or never have any meaning to anyone. Christmas time brings about a nostalgic feeling for most. It is a time when ,whether you want to or not, you're invaded by familyand friends who may or may not really care about you because they never want to spend any time with you during the year. So what makes this time the special time that they want to share their lives with you? Christmas is the celebration of Life, but in particular, the celebration of a specific birth that gave Life. It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of sharing and welcoming, gift giving and love.
Christmas marks for many the end of one year and the beginning of another and so there is yet another special time of the year known as New Year's. This is a time when we reflect even more on our lives, we examine our year and decide for ourselves what we want to change in our lives. We look at the past year and decide in one day that this year will be different from the last year. Whereas Advent is a preparation of ourselves for Christmas, during the Christmas season many prepare themselves for the New Year. We make a whole list of "Things to do in the New Year"
Gain a few pounds
Loose a few pounds
Get a new job
Get a promotion
Try to survive the year
Get married
Have a child
The season for me is not meant to be totally reflective. It is a time similar to any time of the year where you enjoy the moment, trying to live your best life completely and fully so that you never shame your family, your friends and most importantly your God. I try not to spend the season looking back, or looking forward, thinking of the 'what ifs' and the 'what could have beens'.
Reminiscing has a tendency to take our minds off the present. We reminisce and forget that the NOW is happening and that it is passing and that the future just arrived and will pass. This Christmas season into New Year's I am not looking back nor will I yearn for the future. This time of the year should make us intimately aware of who we ARE, not who we WERE or who we CAN BE. To know who we ARE is to know that we are connected to something much bigger than ourselves. To know who we ARE is to know that we are truly one with the one who knows no time - past, present or future. Our God IS and always WILL BE. He is never described as a WAS. HE IS and will continue TO BE. He was born during this wonderful season of Christmas, which we do remember but He is always born inside each and everyone of us when we decide in the daily moments to live for Him over and over again. At Christmas time we are called to remember the Jesus that IS and will continue to be in every present day of our lives.
Christmas is coming and Jesus IS waiting.
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