Being home for the holidays.

Hello my friends. It's been some time since I last wrote. To be honest, I'm starting to believe or at least understand the idea of writers block... but I guess the proper term should be coined bloggers block. Here are some thoughts that will hopefully break this cycle. 

The expression "Happy Holidays" rubs me in a funny way. I don't really know why or how to explain this feeling but when someone grants me this simple wish, I can't help but wonder... why not "Merry Christmas" instead? Now, I fully understand that it is politically correct to say this to someone you are not very familiar with because if this person doesn't celebrate the season of Christmas, you wouldn't want to centralize this celebration on everyone. For example, if I was Jewish... I wouldn't go around telling everyone "Happy Hanukkah" because not everyone celebrates Hanukkah. I also realize that people might be combining Christmas and New Years but part of me wants to keep them separate. 

      I think the root of my thoughts come from a somewhat conservative view. At times I worry this world is slowly starting to leave out the unique remembrance that is Christmas. To think of Christmas and New Years' both being just holidays isn't how I want to conform my thinking of this sacred piece of history. When you think about the things time can bring... happiness, unity within a family, peace, joy, celebration, reflection... and look at how the majority society has began to look this time, two thoughts come to mind. Either, society overall is either caught up in the materialism and anxiety of an annual gift exchange and reason to not work for a few days, or we live in view of the overwhelming blessing and eternal gift that a powerful God would come down in the form of a hopeful child. Is it really that black and white though? The conflict we face and will continue to face is how do we balance our cultural traditions for the season with our beliefs that a child came to rescue a world in need of a Savior. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of taking time out of our daily routine to buy a gift for people we care for but when the sacrifice spent for people overrides the sacrifice we are called to offer up as a gift before our King, the importance of this season begins to evoke emotions that are much more sacred than just another holiday.   

I hope this new year challenges you to wrestle with your faith and find truth and peace in a life that is worth living with purpose and passion. 

Grace and Peace