Christmas is Coming Part 3: Winter Blues and Discovering New Hope
Written by Kendall Bergman
To refresh your memory, this is the 3rd in a 3-part series reminding you that “Christmas is Coming”. In Part 1, I reframed what it could look like to get your armor ready. You can read more here. Last week I followed up with Part 2 and listed out some practical and helpful tips on not merely surviving Christmas, but thriving through the holiday season. Read that entire post here. While reframing expectations and creating lists are useful and worthwhile pursuits, today I’ll focus on winter blues and how you might, nonetheless, experience new hope.
During this season of advent…the four weeks preceding and leading up to the recognized birth of Jesus, Christians the world over participate in the anticipated coming of our Lord utilizing advent calendars (removing a chocolate or other treat each day for 28 days) and devotionals that remind and equip us to prepare for the coming of the Christ-child. We are encouraged to worship, meditate and pray from a posture of hope and expectation.
As we reach the end of Advent and enter into Christmas and Epiphany, there is a sense of both looking back and moving forward. It’s worth noting that today also marks the Winter Solstice. Winter Solstice occurs every year and marks the 24-hour period with the fewest daylight hours and/or the longest night…in the northern hemisphere, at least.
I believe this season offers an invitation to reflect on what has been, rest in what is and dream about what’s to come so that you can find hope in the midst of your winter blues.
First, I find it helpful to create a couple of lists as I think about the year that’s just past. One list includes those things that I experience or view as disappointing (or a loss), and the second list includes those things that I recognize as a celebration (or a win). This year, my list of disappointments is related to scarcity…while my list of celebrations is playfully wrapped in abundance.
As I’ve identified a few of the disappointments, I also plan to let them go…either by writing them down and tearing up the paper or burning it. If you’ve never tried this, I encourage you to do so. There is something about the ritual of tearing paper up or burning it in fire that helps us mark and remember those losses that need to be grieved or at least acknowledged in a significant way.
I’ve also listed a few things to carry with me into the new year…some of these things include nurturing friendships, doing each next thing that arises for my business or practicing daily rhythms that serve to benefit and enhance all areas of my life. Other things I plan to carry forward are less action-oriented and more focused on how I will “be” in 2022. I think of these as heart, mind and soul postures…or perspectives. These include practices of gratitude, humility and trust. The purpose of making these lists is to help process your winter blues and discover the hope upon which to focus your intention in the coming year.
While I might have a desire to activate the things and ways in which I will carry the win’s forward, I believe this particular season…of Advent, Christmas, colder nights and shorter days is sending me a message of “not yet”. I don’t know about you, but “not yet” can be an uncomfortable space to sit in. Feelings of sadness, grief or even regret creep in and rather than move toward curiosity about these feelings, I tend to shut them off by grabbing a cookie or turning on Netflix. There is another way.
As you consider this season, your situation in life and what you sense God is inviting you to, I pray you discover yourself. I encourage you to put the cookie down and turn off Netflix…grab a pen and paper…and embrace wonder and curiosity about what’s possible. When you feel compelled to rush headlong into what you will accomplish in 2022, take a beat instead. Maybe the most meaningful action for this season is stillness, peace and rest...more of a non-action. If that sounds abhorrent to you, I suggest you consider it even more.
In the “not yet”, I intend to be still and know that God is. I intend to receive peace that surpasses all understanding. And I intend to rest in the knowledge that hope is real and Jesus is coming. What will you intend in your “not yet”?