11-29-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 29, 2025
How do you manage to slow down when everything around you seems to be speeding up, and there’s an overwhelming expectation that we should accomplish so many things in a short amount of time? Let’s be honest, it’s not an easy task, but it’s definitely not impossible. How much of the challenge is tied to a certain fabled perception of what this season is going to look like? It is a magical time of the year, especially for children. At the same time, does the so-called magic leave people confused about the meaning and purpose of the Christmas season? This is where worship, ritual, and an intentional devotional time can help both slow us down and refocus. Every year at our house, we do a couple of evening countdowns where something new is added to a story or an ornament is placed on the small tree—a countdown from December 1 to December 25. There are days when I may not want to find the two minutes it would take to do this with my family, but with a deep breath, I join them, and between some laughter and a bit of redirection to what is important, I have slowed down. It doesn’t need to be much. The pause doesn’t squelch the magic, but it creates just enough space for us to ask the questions about what is truly important and what, on the other hand, might be unrealistic expectations. 

Thank you for this season, O Source of Sacred Joy. There are so many things attempting to tell us what is important and necessary, yet if we pause long enough and look to the gift of the Christ Child, we believe the message of the nativity and your Spirit will have us once again recognizing that you and your act of love are all that really matters. Amen.