As the wind and snow pick up the pace outside my home office window this afternoon, it is becoming increasingly clear that we will not be attending Christmas Eve worship this evening in Reardan. A 25 mile round trip in 4WD with chains doesn’t make a lot of sense. We will miss the opportunity for community worship with our church family, but it will provide us a new opportunity to create worship time together at home. We can decorate the potted Norfolk pine in the corner of the living room, spend time in Bible study and share in a little Yuletide baking for a festive dinner for two tomorrow.
As an empty nester, the old holiday traditions are not as important to me anymore. Our gift exchange list with other adults has dwindled by mutual agreement. We all have enough, and are trying to pare down possessions that are weighing us down. I’d even wager that one of the reasons for the drop in consumer spending is that so many of us baby boomers are downsizing rather than accumulating. We enjoy creating opportunities for presence more than exchanging presents. We value time to be with family and friends even more when snowy roads and stormy weather prevent us from having it!
I’ll write a commentary on the instability of an economy based on ever increasing consumerism and over-blown gift-giving on another day. May you and your family enjoy a safe and happy holiday, snug at home with loved ones and giving thanks to God for the priceless gift of His Son.
As an empty nester, the old holiday traditions are not as important to me anymore. Our gift exchange list with other adults has dwindled by mutual agreement. We all have enough, and are trying to pare down possessions that are weighing us down. I’d even wager that one of the reasons for the drop in consumer spending is that so many of us baby boomers are downsizing rather than accumulating. We enjoy creating opportunities for presence more than exchanging presents. We value time to be with family and friends even more when snowy roads and stormy weather prevent us from having it!
I’ll write a commentary on the instability of an economy based on ever increasing consumerism and over-blown gift-giving on another day. May you and your family enjoy a safe and happy holiday, snug at home with loved ones and giving thanks to God for the priceless gift of His Son.
