Unplugged

It’s December? CHRISTmas is in a couple of weeks?! When did this happen? I was outside in a short sleeved t-shirt working in the garden Saturday. All of a sudden, I hear snow reports, CHRISTmas carols, and a million ubiquitous shopping commercials.

The CHRISTmas season can easily overwhelm me. Busyness, pressure, noise and unrealistic expectations threaten to undermine joy, anticipation, and “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)

As much as I love the CHRISTmas fun and décor (and God bless each and every one of you who cover your home with twinkling lights and tinsel! I genuinely love it all.), in order to really enjoy and celebrate the season, I know I need to unplug a bit.

The best show MTV ever produced (back when MTV actually had music on “Music Television”) was Unplugged. Artists such as Eric Clapton, R.E.M., Nirvana and Pearl Jam left the stadium setting behind and dialed the production back until one could actually hear and appreciate the melody, lyrics and artistic value of each piece. When the electric became acoustic, we could receive the full impact of the music and vocals, and remember why these songs meant spoke so powerfully to us.

To truly enjoy special times with my friends and family, I need to unplug and turn off some of the things that vie for my attention so I can be 100% present with the people I love. To relax, to connect, and be generous in every way, I must build some margin into my life--a little reserve of time, energy and money. To give glory to God, to experience peace on earth, to maintain good will toward men (even people behind the wheel in the mall parking lot), I need to intentionally dial down the production and really listen to the melody and lyrics of my life.

So, I am scheduling more quiet into the noise. I am making more phone calls and less emails. I am trying to get more sleep, since rested people tend to be more patient and kind. I am carving out time to sit at Jesus’ feet more than chasing down the perfect deal at Macy’s. I am doing less, but enjoying everything more. I am savoring instead of stressing.

Have I perfected this unplugging? No way. But I am choosing to proactively celebrate CHRISTmas rather than letting it passively bulldoze me. Left to itself, CHRISTmas in the 21st Century keeps getting faster and crazier. A little unplugging might just keep the joy while letting the stress drain away…

Whether you dive into CHRISTmas head first and revel in dozens of parties and activities…or if you dial it down a notch to really enjoy it…. However you celebrate, may CHRISTmas be a joyful time of glory to God, peace on earth, and good will toward men!

Much love,

Linda