I can honestly say I am not finished with my Christmas shopping yet. Ha! You thought I was going to confess to being finished. I’m close, but not there yet.
We have, however, already purchased the ingredients for Jesus’ birthday cake. Whenever the media gets obsessed with the difference between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays,” I respond with “Happy Birthday Jesus.” Seriously, why don’t we decorate for a birthday party instead of putting up a pine tree?
Every year at Christmas, we bake a birthday cake and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. We skip the candles (because firemen are busy enough during the holidays), but still sing. And thankfully, Jesus’ favorite cake flavor is the same as our family’s favorite – chocolate. Imagine that.
Personally, I think the one thing people are shopping for during December is recognition. Not the type of recognition that the Super Bowl winners receive. I mean the simpler kind – acknowledgement that they exist. If you pay attention while in public, you’ll notice that so many people are just plain lonely. And technology, our world gets lonelier and lonelier. People of all ages have relationships with their phones instead of faces.
So this year I encourage you to leave your phone in your pocket and smile at everyone you see. Plan for your trips to take twice as long so that you aren’t rushed. Spare that moment to make eye contact and let people know you see them. Be present. Be open. Be love. Don’t stand in line on your phone reading about how people are lonely. Smile and chat with those around you. Talk about the weather if nothing else. It really doesn’t matter. Just be there, and let others know you see them.
Okay, I’m done with my rant now. I know you’ve heard this message before. But seriously – let this be the year you actually do it. Then share in the comments below how you were blessed by the experience.
Blessings,
Mary