From our friend Margaret Marcuson: Theres only a little over a week left before Christmas Eve. Here are some donts to keep in mind through these remaining days. Dont: 1. Dont neglect to take at least five minutes a day for yourself. Light a candle. Read a few verses of Scripture that arent a part of sermon prep. Listen to some music you love. 2. Dont feel guilty that you dont get to everyone on your shut-in/needy parishioner list. If you figure out the time available and what you have to do, youll see its not possible. Do your best, and connect with the others in January. 3. Dont think the worship experience all depends on you. Yes, worship planning and preparing are vital. Yet you know as well as I do that something mysterious happens in worship. People can be touched even when you arent perfectly prepared. Gods Spirit is at work in Advent and Christmas worship, beyond anything we can imagine. 4. Dont eat everything that people want to give you. It will sap your energy, and you need your energy. Eat a little, or eat a little more of what you love. And get some protein while youre at it. This is not about good and bad, but sustaining yourself through these next days. 5. Dont forget your extended family. You may not have time before Christmas, but think now about someone from your wider family to connect with on Christmas Day or after. And while youre at it, think about your favorite Christmas childhood memory. It may give you a boost. Heres one of mine: The year my mom made us new Christmas stockings out of felt. I still have mine. 6. Dont worry about end-of-year giving. Even if it looks tight, you cant control what people give. Worrying will not cause them to give more. Practice celebrating what the church has received this year, and trusting there will be enough. 7. Dont miss out on worship. Its not easy to worship when you are leading and/or preaching. You can miss the worship experience completely. Can you find a way to worship anyway? A few ideas: pay attention during the Advent/Christmas candlelighting. Throw yourself into singing your favorite carol. Listen to the Scripture, rather than thinking about your sermon.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 17:29:32 +0000
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