It’s usually right around now that bellies are bloated, pants are tight, minds are over stimulated, hearts are full and treadmills are being bought. Lol.
It’s also right around now that fatigue sets in because Christmas is tiring.
It’s over stimulating.
It’s socially draining.
It’s full to the brim with maxed out effort and sleep deprivation.
Fatigue forces us to stop.
To rest.
To kick back.
To relax.
But moments of fatigue also make it all too easy to think about the ways in which things can be done differently for next year.
I won’t eat as much.
I won’t say yes to so many activities.
I won’t get absorbed in so much hustle and bustle.
Fatigue is a very real part of Christmas. We can’t control that. But what we can control is the ability to not let it rob us of all the good that causes fatigue in the first place.
The things that cause our hustle and bustle are the very things we need to stop and appreciate.
You ate too much food because you enjoyed every opportunity to eat joyfully and celebratory with friends and family.
You were busy driving to and fro because there are so many fun activities and festive things to do to celebrate this wonderful season.
You are tried and drained and sleep deprived because you are blessed to have many people in your life that love you, and whom you love in return.
Now’s not the time to be hard on yourself because Christmas is over. Now IS the time to invest in quiet moments of appreciation for all the gifts that have been bestowed.
Christmas is a time of reflection – to consider… to contemplate… to ponder… to muse… and to appreciate all the amazingly crazy ways Christ made this season wonderful and full for you.
”My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.” Psalm 145:21
Christmas idea: spend some time writing out the ways in which Christmas was special, different, challenging and beautiful. What have you learned? How have you grown?
Christmas prayer: Dear Lord, my heart is full. Thank you for this wonderful season of festivity where I was able to take time to focus on the birth of hope, love, joy and peace through Your son. Draw my mind back to moments from this celebratory time where You were speaking, moving and dwelling. Open my memories so I am flooded with reminder of where You were in the midst of it all. And give me a heart of appreciation to see all the beauty You brought to my life in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Amen.
