Andy Lee
It’s that time of the year again. What is it like for you? Is it the most beautiful time of the year or does it consist of awkward family gatherings reluctantly playing board games, and dry turkey?
Is it festive fun or family feuds? Laughter and love or the same old same old as we’re getting old?
For a lot of us, Christmas has its own routine. On Christmas Eve it’ll be Auntie Jane’s house. Boxing Day it’ll be hanging out with Tom and his family. It’s full of tradition. And tradition is wonderful when we take the time to be thankful and grateful for another year of doing what we’ve always done.
It’s a strong emotional reminder, full of sentimental warmth when we get to act out family traditions, like playing Pictionary, putting Michael Buble’s Christmas album on, or watching Love Actually, or probably Frozen. It might even include a dose of karaoke.
But what happens if tradition is disrupted by tragedy? What if someone that’s been a part of the party for years is no longer there? A beautiful family finds out that their 12 years old son has cancer. They pray for healing. Yet truth be told there is no guarantee he will be around next year. Absolutely devastating.
Actually truth be told there’s no guarantee that any of us will be around next year. Such is the unpredictability and fragility of life. This family, and many more will have tradition broken due to unexpected bad news and suffering. This is life. It is short.
We believe we are in control, which gives us a false sense of security. This causes us to forget to count our blessings. We think we have all the time in the world to drink, be merry and grumble at having to make small-talk with our patronising uncle from Shropshire, or Hong Kong.
Here’s a few ways to get the most out of Christmas this year. Especially if you’re not looking forward to it.
‧ Be thankful you’re here for it – This has got to the starting point right? You’ve made it though another year and you’re around to put on the Christmas jumper, take part in standard pose group photos and act horribly during charades! Be so thankful for being blessed with life and for being alive.
‧ Be thankful for family – You can’t choose family, but you can choose to love them and accept them. Sure there might be some of them that you feel you can only handle in small doses, if that’s the case for you then be thankful Christmas is only once year. But in all seriousness, each Christmas that passes is one less opportunity to see someone and to be seen. So go on, make the effort. You don’t know how much time anyone has left.
‧ Be thankful for friends – These are the people you do choose to be family. Be thankful for the community you’re a part of, whatever size it is. As much as there a deep need for us to carve out our own significance in the world, we have a stronger need for relationship and connection. So to have people in your life you can celebrate with is a true blessing. Remind yourself to be thankful for it.