Birthright
In my house, the holidays begin on September 1. It resulted from a compromise Gabbi, and I struck early in our marriage. So Christmas gets two full months in our house. The trees, ornaments, and stockings go out on November 1. Likewise, Halloween begins on September 1. Two full months of skeletons, monsters, and candy corn. At the time, it seemed a bit excessive. No one gave Halloween as much attention as we do, and many people were still insistent on their “harvest” decor being out a little bit longer before being usurped by tinsel. Fast forward to 2022, and I’m relatively certain that the Halloween and Christmas decorations were hitting store shelves in May.
Honestly, Who can blame us? Life only gets more complicated the older you get. Boring, more angst, anxiety-ridden, dread about the future, and disappointment. So, of course, we jump at the chance to get a piece of the most wonderful time of the year before its appointed time.
But, while the holidays have grown from their solitary days to consume larger chunks of the calendar year, costumes are more elaborate, decorations more insane (and expensive), the holidays just don’t hit like they used to.
“Peace on earth” rings hollow. Joy is a pipe dream. The parties and holiday functions never match everyone’s expectations. And when the holidays pass, we will be left with this strange sensation. Like being full after a large meal, but not satisfied because something is missing.
The holidays, like life, at times may seem real, look real, and even feel real, but it isn’t. Going from one place to the next and never engaging with the moment, the people, the problem, or the world around us. Never experiencing the full life our Maker designed us for. The result? A shadow life, an empty holiday, a meal that doesn’t satisfy.
There’s more to the holidays, more to life, than fau-reality, faked feelings, and photoshopped experiences.
Jesus said he came to give life, full life, abundant life. What better time to embrace that than a season we use to commemorate His birth?
It’s a thing that is easy to start but a road that is not easy to stick to. A path begun by many but finished by few, and it all starts with a single simple choice: Be present.
At this moment, in this day. Wherever you are, be all there. Maybe today is rainy and gross outside… wallow in it. Light a fire, watch a good movie, and be all there. The leaves are falling, and your yard is a mess? Grab the kids and make a leaf pile. Jump around, and smell the cold fall air. Be fully present and locked in.
Abundant life isn’t found in faking it, just getting through the holidays, or being barely present. So whatever the day may bring, whatever emotions come your way, the people, the conversations… soak it in. Breathe in deep. Better is your birthright. And just like in all the old stories, you’re going to have to fight for it.