The In-between Time of The Holidays

 A Few Musings As Christmas Ends and A New Year Approaches

Hello friends!  I'm sitting here on this rainy Tuesday morning, the day after Christmas, just enjoying the tree lights and drinking my tea. And thinking......and doing a little musing...and writing a few thoughts as one year ends and another is about to begin. 

I do hope that your Christmas day was a pleasant one. I won't say joyous or spectacular or magical. Somehow, those words don't work for me at Christmas time anymore. Having a pleasant Christmas day suffices. I feel that Hallmark movies (although I enjoy and watch them) can give the impression that the Christmas season should be just absolutely spectacular with all problems solved by the end of the two hour movie that highlights over the top decorations, the solving of all family and personal problems over a cup of hot cocoa and cookies and love and warmth in plentiful amounts for all. And that's not really real life is it?

But, I'm not trying to write a "downer" type of post at all. It was a lovely day yesterday with The Mr. and our fur family. We enjoyed meaningful Christmas services at our church that I was blessed to be able to assist with this year. The handbells played beautifully on Christmas Eve. It was lovely. 

I will admit to a bit of melancholy remembering family members no longer with us here on Earth. They will always be missed, whether it is Christmas or not. And, I am thankful for their lives and influence in my life. 

And, I am thankful every day....not just at Christmas.....that Jesus came into this world. 

I wrote a few goals and thoughts for 2024 in my journal this morning. Are you already thinking into the new year like me? I'm not writing resolutions. They rarely are kept. But goals, to me, are a bit different. Goals are something to work toward. There are not absolutes in the outcome of goals. One simply works in the direction of the goal. And that feels better to me than making resolutions. What do you think? 

The image I shared at the beginning of this post is of one of the Christmas cards we sent out this year. I felt like the message of this card was especially poignant. Our other card was a Peanuts card with the characters re-enacting the nativity scene and a playful reminder of the meaning for the season. I noticed that this year, even more so than last year, there were fewer Christmas cards received. Folks just aren't sending cards much anymore. It's too bad really. I always enjoyed receiving Christmas cards. Hearing from people how their families are doing. A way to touch base and extend cheer. I think Christmas card giving is going the way of letter writing. Yet another change that the internet and email has brought about. I realize, also, that sending Christmas cards is expensive....postage costs and all. And, yet another thing to do in our ultra-busy world. Somehow, all of our "conveniences" and use of technology, don't seem to have really helped the busyness of life to slow down have they?

Wow, the rain is just pouring down outside! A dreary day after Christmas. But, I hear the sun is supposed to shine tomorrow. And that is a cheerful thought. And we do need the rain. But still....some sunshine sounds good to me. 

There are chores to be done today here at home. Things I have left undone for a few days when I was unexpectedly called into action at church when our pastor came down with Covid last week. So, I guess it's time to stop musing and start moving. 

Maybe I'll just sit for a few minutes more, though, and enjoy listening to the rain. 

May this in-between time of the holidays of Christmas and New Years be a pleasant time for each of you, my dear readers and friends! I leave you with this scripture from Isaiah. 

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater. 

Isaiah 55:10

Blessings and Peace Until Next Time,

Debbie