It’s the aftermath. That messy time in between Christmas and New Years when all I really want to do is live in pajamas and bury myself beneath blankets on the couch while watching movies. As this isn’t exciting for a three year old I don’t do this. Instead I’ve been playing with Thomas and Emily {as it was a very Thomas Christmas this year} and enjoying the occasional square. This is the lovely messy time when my heart and body catch up with what my mind already knows. It’s over. Jesus has come. The baby has entered.
There’s a lot to work through after Christmas. December is spent crafting sermons and prayers, services and worship that you hope feels right for people and then the sudden stop lends itself to a bit of a hangover. When the emotions and thoughts, reflections and self-critique takes over in you mind it can be hard to find the Jesus in the midst of it. I need to let go, let God in and really sink into that which I am feeling. I want to spend time appreciating all that has come, all that I’ve been given and I’ve been given a lot.
This Christmas I got many things. I spent much needed time with family, received some pretty lovely gifts and spent an entire Christmas season with one church. This is perhaps the thing that I miss most about constant ministry with a congregation. The ability to take people from the start to the finish. The ability to build relationships and build upon a point, to move and grow together. I miss that and for a brief moment I had the chance to experience it once more. This was a gift, a much needed visit to remind me that ministry can be good, wonderful even. I am so happy to have spent the Christmas season with them.
This week will be spent in recovery. I’ll eat one too many Christmas squares I’m sure and probably build a snowman or two as we got our white Christmas. I’ll read a little, reflect some and probably sit for countless hours not thinking at all. I am looking forward to it. I suspect I’ll write as well. I always find I blog more when I’m off and I have three scheduled weeks of rest ahead My recovery will be good and wonderful, peaceful and needed. I hope you can say the same and that your Christmas was a very merry one filled with many blessings.
