Pause during this holy season
As I get older, I’m learning to pause more often, especially when the world gets busier around me. I was helped in that effort this Christmas season by catching a rotten cold in the middle of December. I had to stop, rest and stay inside for several days. Much to my surprise:
- The essential preparations still got done, and some unessential ones were left for another day.
- The cherished family gatherings still took place.
- The gifts were still given and received.
- The worship and music of our church’s services were still a focal point and beautiful reminder of the birth of the Christ Child—God among us—in the form of a baby boy.
The forced pause allowed me to take time to read and enjoy each Christmas card and to reflect even more deeply on the meaning of Christmas.
The Christmas Scale
As though God wanted to make sure I got the memo about the importance of taking time to cherish the season, in my blog archives, I rediscovered this wonderful short video. Even if you saw it several years ago, I think you’ll be as happy as I was to see it again. It’s a powerful reminder that where you put the pauses can make all the difference, in music and in life…
Don’t forget that Christmas doesn’t begin until Christmas Day, December 25. Celebrate these 12 days of Christmas and savor the beauty and joy of the season and remember that age-old message of the angels:
Is It Time To Cut Back This Christmas?
I feel like I’m using the word PAUSE this entire month of January. It’s been sub zero temps, lots of snow, silence from the birds and critters, and I’m blanketed with the need to quietly create at home. This may be the best part of “Christmas”! JOY to the world, indeed. xoxo
Oh, yes, yes, yes…I really resonate with that and have found my January to be the same: time to create a bit of margin in my life that I hope I can carry into the rest of the year! Happy New Year to you, Miss Pam — hope it will be a wonderful one.
Before I listened to the whole video, I went and played the scale on the keyboard I have in my “work-out-and-dance” room (yes, I have a keyboard, and yes, I know how to play a few scales, though the rest of it escapes me now). And it blew me away. Thank you for sharing this! Also, my word for 2018 is PAUSE. And that – with your blog post – blows me away, again.
I loved this video. Thanks for sharing
Thanks, Teddy. I’m glad it meant something to you. I loved the simplicity of it as it relates to the Christmas message. So often the simplest things are the most powerful.
That is good news, Elizabeth. Thanks you for sharing and have a beautiful Christmas day and blessing for your New Year.