Moment

By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: Moment as in… “The Moment.”

It’s as familiar a moment as there is. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, there will be “The Moment.” And that moment, while still days away, seems ever-present. It’s a moment we’re planning, researching, rehearsing, and maybe even praying about.

But still, for some, there may be an uneasiness; a familiar hesitation unsettles us. For so many reasons, we feel apprehensive. Why is that? Maybe it’s because despite the planning, researching, rehearsing, and praying, expectations are so great that “The Moment” doesn’t stand a chance.

This raises some questions. What are your expectations? What plans are you making? What are you researching? How are you rehearsing? How do you pray about “The Moment?” Certainly, we’ll continue to plan, research, rehearse, and pray. But the complicated outcomes don’t have to be repeated this year.

We know this to be true: Christmas is coming, and “The Moment” will arrive whether or not we’re ready for it. But here’s the good news: the point of God becoming flesh and blood and moving into the neighborhood is precisely because we’re so fabulously capable of feeling uneasy, hesitant, and unsettled despite all our planning, researching, rehearsing, and praying.

Try this… find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Receive three deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth. On the third exhalation, gently close your eyes and imagine yourself in that place where you love being on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. See yourself right there.

Imagine how you will welcome that moment. If it’s high expectations of intricate meal details, rehearsing and researching gift exchanges, or paying about financial worries, breathe all that in. Then, as you exhale, release those expectations and be aware of your body’s softening. If you feel stressed over having a house full of people or interacting with a friend or family member with whom you have a bit of tension, inhale, then, as you exhale, let that tension subside.

This one moment is all you need to move into every next moment leading up to The Christmas Moment.

#100days50words

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where he blogs about a different word each week. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche) or his blog, Thriving Rhythms.