Christmas 2021 – Reminders for Next Year
It’s over. The ornaments have been boxed. The lights have been stored. The living room is back to normal. And the kids have returned home. All we have left are the memories and the pictures stored in our phones.
It wasn’t a white Christmas. But as I type this, I am looking out the big window behind the couch and seeing a beautiful scene of snow covered farmlands, hills with sled treks, and cars covered in inches of powder that will remain for another day or two. The snow came nine days late, but it came.
The world moves on.
Before we reach February (which is when some of you take down your outdoor Christmas lights), I think we should stop and reflect a minute. Before we completely put the Spirit of Christmas behind us, which we really never should do … before we move on, let’s reflect on what we take into next year’s Christmas. Yes it’s just over 11 months away, but let’s see what we learn from Christmas 2021 to take to Christmas 2022 …
– Spend more time with family. My son and DIL came for 96 hours from Dallas. It was 2000 hours too short. It was 1 minute too short. The very second we said goodbye and they walked deeper into the airport, I missed them deeply.
– Don’t put off spending time with family. My mother struggles with memory dystopia. The memories of Christmas’s gone by are slipping from her mind. She often forgets when it is and who I am. My earthly father is in heaven with my heavenly Father. I would trade every gift I received this year to spend 10 minutes with him.
– Spend more time thinking about what to give your loved ones. Yes, gift cards are easy and even appreciated, but make sure you put thought into each and every gift. Start early too. The whole transportation log jams of 2021 might get worse in 2022. My adult kid may want a new iPhone, but those custom slides for a retro View-Finder that pictures his dating, engagement and wedding to our new DIL is so cool.
– Give something to someone who is not in your circle. Help the homeless, pack a shoebox, donate to missions, visit a shut-in, help a single parent, volunteer at the local school, surprise a first responder. This makes the spirit of giving so much more precious. And don’t do it for the recognition. Our Father in heaven sees it.
– Watch the kids. There is something about the joy and magic of seeing Christmas through the eyes of children. See the excitement. See the marvel.
– Get out and go see the lights. From small town (after all, my little corner of the world has about 102 residents and we had The Lights of Evergreen) to the big city, there are always a few lights to take in.
– Read the Christmas Story. Okay, you know it. But when did you last read it … aloud? Not ’Twas the Night Before Christmas … not A Christmas Carol ….not Frosty, or Rudolph, or any other story. Read THE CHRISTMAS STORY found in Matthew 1:18-23, Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-38.
– Go to a Christmas worship service. Worship, celebrate, remember the joy, peace, love, hope and true meaning of Christmas. A corporate gathering adds to the warmth and synergy of the season. Whether Christmas Sunday, Christmas Eve or a Kids’ program – go to one you wouldn’t normally attend – make the effort.
– Stop everything. Take a deep breath and remember the gift of Jesus. Nothing else really matters.
What else would you add to the list? Comment and let us know.
It’s over. The ornaments have been boxed. The lights have been stored. The living room is back to normal. And the kids have returned home. All we have left are the memories and the pictures stored in our phones. But we have next year. Let’s make that one even better.
Muddy Shoes by Todd 
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