It was soon after the turkey and the cranberry relish.
My Sweet Louise and I had a few days off together. No work. No school. No travel.
The previous months had been a whirlwind of activity. A frenzied flourish of theatre rehearsals that culminated the weekend before Thanksgiving. It was a marvelous musical ~ a truly peerless performance.
Now, after all the hustle we decided to seek out some quiet. We opted for our annual trek. It’s a two hour drive from home to the wildlife area to see them.
The sandhill cranes on their fall migration.
We arrived just before sunset, one of the best times for viewing.
Far off in the distance we heard their flight call. Then they appeared. Silhouettes overhead ~ long and thin. Floating against the fading backdrop of early evening. Flock by flock they kited into the pasture. Gradually, thousands of these magnificent birds were gathered in the fields. Their evening ritual of chatter and dancing, both an auditory and visual delight.
We stood together watching in the almost silence, Emma and me.
Completely present.
Immersed in the beauty of this poetic passage of nature.
Creation engulfs the senses and the heart is full.
Then what seemed to be all too soon, these elegant birds began to spread their wings wide. We watched in awe as they rose up into the cold, twilight sky. Our time with them was coming to a close. They were returning to roost in the dark and shallow marshes for the night.
Another leg of their journey complete.
This time was a perfect pause to usher in this blessed Christmas season.
A beautiful hush before the outside world began its own annual pattern of movement.
Into the rush.
Into the hurry.
The tension almost palpable some days.
Shoppers searching for the perfect gift …
Putting up decorations …
Baking …
Are these simple tasks the real driving force to our flurry of activity?
Perhaps.
But when done in excess the question begs to be answered. We may want to consider an ulterior motive.
Maybe it’s something altogether different that’s happening.
To-do lists a mile long. Calendars with almost every square filled-in during the month of December. Is there something deeper that contributes to our sense of busyness and overwhelm?
…
Searching for the perfect gift… in hopes that the recipient will approve of our purchase. Approve of us. Giving that we might be noticed. That we would be considered worth counting in ~ rather than just counting on.
Putting up decorations… for that Pinterest-perfect party. Maybe it helps us to feel like we measure up. Hors d’oeuvres and desserts worthy of appreciation. Hopefully someone will notice our time and effort. Notice us.
Baking… the oh-so-delicious selection of holiday treats. We’re certain that everyone will be sure to remember this cookie exchange. Maybe it will make us memorable too.
In other words, is it possible that we’re using the hubbub of the holidays to fill an incredible void?
To fill an absolute need that defines our human nature?
Maybe we’re searching for something more.
Maybe our souls are aching for that place of silence… like the cranes at sunset.
But we’re terrified to go there.
What might we find if we go to that quiet space?
Could it be that we’re afraid that we might not feel like celebrating the holidays at all?
Because underneath all of the excessive shopping, decorating, and baking ~ well, there are often the not-so-pretty feelings that are fancifully wrapped up, hidden inside of us.
Feelings that seem to surface especially during this time of year.
Matthew 11:28-29
Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
The empty spaces.
The longings.
…
I watched my darling daughter as she walked up the sidewalk to school the other day. For that split second, it was as if a hundred “walking aways” flashed before me.
Her first day at preschool.
The first sleepover at a friend’s house.
Her week-long trip to New York City.
The first time she took off into the sky for flight training.
Now it’s her sophomore year. Next it will be walking away to college. To marriage. To her own family. Perhaps to somewhere far away.
Far away from me.
…
And what about the missings?
The feeling of missing people in our lives so desperately that it hurts.
The ones who have been taken from us, unfairly. Abruptly. Their absence beyond our comprehension.
Missing the sound of their laughter.
Or the warmth of their arms around us.
Wondering what it would be like if they were still here. With us.
We hold tight to memories of holidays once spent together.
When we face the painful reminders that twist our insides, we don’t feel like celebrating. That’s the furthest thing from our minds.
But who are we then?
How do we fit in if we don’t get caught up in the swirling expectations of society?
When we’d rather be hiding.
Hiding behind shopping and baking.
Hiding in the glare of the twinkling lights. Losing ourselves in the festivities and feasts.
Cloaking our fears in the magnitude of great gatherings.
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
How marvelous, then that our Jesus came to unwrap it all!
Untying the ribbons of lies that wrap too tightly around our fragile hearts. Lies the enemy tells us to keep our love from beating into this world.
Pulling back the false and shiny coverings that fold neatly around the corners of our boxed-in and negative thinking.
And our fears that once felt immovable ~ tossed aside like tissue-paper. Translucent in the Glory of His overwhelming love!
He was born into this world of sin to save us.
And when all of our burden is completely unwrapped, there’s nothing left but Him.
He who created us. He who will pick up the pieces of our broken and our torn. The Greatest Giver of all. The Giver of grace.
In time, we begin to bask in His light. Painful memories and cumbersome worries are eclipsed by His brilliance.
The angst and the sadness spill out.
Leaving us empty.
But instead of filling ourselves with this world, we are replete with His wondrous and Holy Spirit!
That we might know true peace in the midst of this hurried holiday season.
His love brimming with abundance for even the weariest of souls.
This is truly the greatest cause for celebration!
Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
…
So, rather than a Christmas full of gifts may we discover the full gift of Christmas.
And in our searching this season, we will discover that the perfect gift lies not beneath the tree, but within our hearts for all of our days.
We need search no further than that small wooden manger.
To the glorious sweetness of the Christ child’s birth.
The greatest gift ~ our Savior, our love.
Our Jesus, Emmanuel.
My Sweet Louise 
Please share your thoughts.