Christmas is such a bizarre time of year. We spend so much of our time trying to plan ahead for gifts and meals and gatherings – only to wish at the timing of those events that we had more time to spare with the ones we love the most. No matter what the factors are, we never seem to have enough time to plan ahead and are always playing catch up in a moment when we should be enjoying every spare second with those we treasure the most.

I have a simple wish for all of us this year – that we don’t take a single thing in our lives for granted this week. As years pass, we learn that friends and close ones often spend these holiday seasons alone, either due to fallouts with family/friends or true loss of loved ones. While the traditions of watching classic Christmas films should never be abandoned, it can never hurt to incorporate a quick call or message to that friend who may not have the family members nearby to go watch Chevy Chase or Jonathan Taylor Thomas make fools of themselves together.

I wish for all of us to seriously consider the opportunity we have to care for the neighbors around us – this could be the person in line in front of us whose card isn’t going through for a present for their young child, or even someone living further away who we aren’t as close to now who we found out is in serious need of resources in this season. If I asked you to prioritize what was more important – someone in the extended family getting a video game they probably won’t spend much time on, or an old friend struggling to make ends meet between jobs while expecting a child – I would hope that the answer will often result in the latter.

This season, I hope we all check ourselves as we prepare for the birth of our Savior – and everything that comes along with it. The spirit of giving is one that can be powerful throughout the year – be it spending time at a local food bank helping sort donations, volunteering to babysit your friend’s toddler so they can have a desperately needed date night… the ways to give are endless once you let your creative juices flow.

I wish everyone a very merry Christmas, and hope you all know I’m only a call/text away for anything you may think you need in this time. If I’m not able to help for some reason, I can only pray that someone in my network can step up at that moment and deliver something life changing to the ones who need it the most.

Glad tidings to all.