We are in the midst of the holiday season (and a nice holiday break). It’s Joelle’s second Christmas and our second child is due in a couple of months. They say that the holidays are a time of peace and reflecting on things we ought be thankful for. That certainly would be nice if it were true. I’m sure that was the original intention for the holidays but leave it to us to over commercialize it to death and cause stress and tension instead of peace and joy.
There are several things I appreciate about my church, including the way that the holiday season is handled. One thing I’ll mention here was the reflection service we had for Thanksgiving.
As we reflect on things we are thankful for the usual things come up like health and family. However, as Christians we ought to think much deeper about thankfulness. Specifically, how do we celebrate and find joy in the face of grief and sorrow?I remember vividly when I lost my mother.
During the reflection service this year, I was amazed at how many people shared about losing a loved one recently. I was also amazed at how much pain and sorrow there was at my own church. Despite the pain and sorrow there was a sense of joy that transcended the suffering. It was finding joy in a transcendent God. I love that fellow members from my church were able to minister to one another in that forum with the help of our elders whose emphasis on the priesthood of all believers helps to foster it.
Christmas Day
On a “normal” Christmas Day, my wife and I head to her parent’s place and open gifts. In her family, they complete this process by starting with the youngest person and working their way up according to age. (This must be what white people do. When I was growing up my sister and I just came down in the morning and opened gifts all at the same time. Asians like to be efficient with their time, I guess.) However, this wasn’t a “normal” Christmas at the Davis’ this year. PJ (Katie’s oldest brother) just got out of the Air Force and moved back with his wife, Allie, and their FOUR kids. Eric (Katie’s second oldest brother) was in town with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two kids. Then you throw Joelle into the mix, and now you have a couple of hours of pure madness. The kids are constantly screaming and the parents are trying to play referee most of the time. I thought about putting a gun to my head about half a dozen times. Reality sets in and you say to yourself, “Christmas is no longer for us but for the kids.” And then you cry a little inside.
Since there are so many people in the family, we usually have a drawing to determine the one person for whom each of us will shop. The person that drew my name for the purpose of shopping for me was PJ- you know, the person currently unemployed. Sweet! But hey, life isn’t about you anymore when you become a parent, right? (In all fairness to PJ, he came through with a pretty cool Captain America t-shirt.)
(Still crying a little inside.)
On Christmas morning, I will say that I got in a good workout. What’s the big deal about a good workout you say? I’m glad you asked. Since it was Christmas and all the gyms were closed, I went to Biola’s track. It was just a beautiful morning. The sky was clear and the sun shining brightly without obstruction. It brought serenity of mind, tranquility of soul and deep reflection. I couldn’t get out of my mind how blessed I am by God and how undeserving I am to receive those blessings. The Lord knows how much I hate cold weather and put me here in Southern California for days like these. It wasn’t just the sunshine beaming through the scattered clouds but a picture of God’s goodness in my life.
After the morning of madness at my in-laws, my family and I went back home to take naps before going back for dinner. Actually my wife and daughter took naps while I watched all the basketball games. I will admit, there wasn’t much anticipation for the Christmas day game at Staples like there usually is. I’ve already written this year off as a “lost season” for my Lakers. We have no shot at winning a title and this is one of the best drafts in league history. Why not tank and get the best pick possible and start building a foundation for the next title run? It’s been nice to not have to schedule my life around Laker games. I’m able to do more productive things. Although when the Lakers are back in title contention I’m throwing away all those productive things in a caffeinated heartbeat to witness every moment.
Once my family woke up from their naps, we got ready and returned to the in-laws for dinner. After dinner, my niece Maddie (8 years old) read The Nativity Story directly out of the Bible. First, I was blessed that she read so well at such a young age. Secondly, and more importantly, she believed the story. There’s something about hearing God’s word being read by those who believe it that fills your heart with joy and encouragement. I guess a day of complete madness (and some basketball in-between) was worth that cherished moment.
(Crying a little less inside.)
Happy Holidays everyone.
