The months of November and December bring us to a special period of the year. Our fall season is in full sway with shorter days and longer nights; changing from Daylight Savings Time back to Standard Time; a national presidential election this year on November 5 that could result in an extended period of very serious national tensions; the end of the football season coupled with the basketball season going into full swing; the Thanksgiving season as we gather together as families and count our many blessings; the season of Advent as we prepare for celebration of our Savior's birth and are reminded of his return some day; then a celebration of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago and we consider the impact of God becoming man; and the end of 2024 and preparing for the beginning of 2025. These become busy months the closer we get to Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas, and it is easy to lose focus on the importance and meaning of this time of year.
Let me suggest that God is calling us to take time in November and December of 2024 to slow down just a bit - to take a break from the hectic pace of everyday living - in the midst of a presidential election and in the possible fallout from that election that could become very volatile - to "call a time out" from all that is competing for our time and attention - and to spend time with God and to be refreshed and renewed in our walk with him.
It is so easy to lose sight of the meaning of Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas - and to become worried and anxious when considering what 2025 may bring our way. From my own experience, I have gone through these months in years past and absolutely exhausted myself in trying to do everything coming my way. We have made the mistake, even in the church sometimes, that the busier we are, the more we are truly serving Jesus and honoring him. While I am certainly not suggesting that anyone should shun his or her responsibility to serve the Lord in the church, home, and community, I am clearly pointing out that we often exhaust ourselves in trying to do everything - and in so doing, we can lose our effectiveness in all areas of our lives - from our walk with God to our spending time with our families to not even doing our best in our work. Perhaps, you are at this point in your life.
During November and December 2024, let's commit to taking time to slow down just a bit. Let's turn our hearts "toward home" - toward Jesus, toward our families, toward our friends, toward the "lost and the least" as we minister to them in the name of Jesus. While it may be an overused holiday phrase, maybe - just maybe - we need to put "Christ" back into Christ-mas - and put "Christ" as the head of our lives in all times! Amen.