At around 9:30 p.m. on the coldest night of the year so far, the furnace in our house decided to stop working. In an event like this, and with three children in the house, the mind and body need to work fast for solutions! Fortunately, with friends (and space heaters) we made it through and await a new furnace.
While going through this little “situation,” there were many things that ran through my head that weren’t necessarily positive thoughts. Thoughts like, “It’s a week before Christmas, do I really need to buy a new furnace?” and, “Really? On the coldest night of the year!” and “Of course, the furnace waits until we move into the house (we’ve only been in our house a couple of months) to stop working…” and on and on and on.
Have you ever felt that way? During this situation it seemed so easy, and unfortunately natural, to me to see the negative side of the situation. However, with prayer and lots of support from my wife and others, I was able to see the much more positive side of things. For example, we are fortunate to have several caring people around us to help in time of need. Also, we are so glad that we were home and not traveling over the Christmas holiday when this happened, because that could’ve led to a cold house AND perhaps frozen pipes and a mess to clean up upon a return from vacation. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.
Ever feel that way around Christmas? There are so many things to focus on, and sometimes the commercialization of the season, and the potentially negative effects of that, that can steal our attention. We can let our thoughts go toward what Christmas “isn’t” to society, instead of focusing on what Christmas “is” to us!
I am quite certain that I cannot stop the commercialization of the season, but I can continue to tell the story, over and over, and enjoy the gift that was given to us in Bethlehem.
So, I challenge you, this Christmas season, to focus on the positives. Leave the stress and worry of the season to the side and revel in the joy that is our because of Jesus!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Following His Lead,
Mychal Thom,
Head of School