Appreciate the Small Moments
From
November 30, 2024
From the Pastor
“And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”
(1 Kings 19:11-12)
Christmas can sometimes feel like a time of grand gestures. We think of big, decorated trees, elaborate feasts, and the rush to create a perfect holiday experience. But what do we actually remember most about Christmas? More often than not, it’s the little things—the warmth of a quiet hug, the sound of a favorite carol, or the smell of cookies baking in the oven. These simple moments are often what make the season truly meaningful, setting the stage for the deeper connections we share with our loved ones.
One of my fondest Christmas memories was a year I visited my parents and younger siblings when they were living in Belgium. We couldn’t find a full-sized Christmas tree and ended up buying something between a big bush and a small, scraggly, Charlie Brown style tree. When we got the tree home, it was a huge challenge to get standing upright in the living room. My two brothers and I
ended up jury-rigging a series of ropes and cables that somehow got it vertical–at least for a while. It was kind of a disaster of a tree. My memory of laughing with my brothers, along with the exasperated reactions from our parents and sisters, is something I will always cherish. It’s silly and small and in itself not especially spiritual-seeming, and yet, it holds within it treasures of connected affection and memories I will hold forever.
There’s something deeply meaningful about these small, everyday moments. They remind us that we don’t need to wait for something extraordinary to feel the love and peace of Christmas. The Lord physically coming to earth as a human being is one of the most significant events in history. Yet, He chose to do so in the humblest of ways—born in a stable, greeted by simple shepherds, as an infant, a symbol of innocence. In this humility, we see that the greatest acts of love often come quietly, without fanfare.
In the same way, He reaches us today in the humblest parts of our lives, not just in the big celebrations or grand acts of devotion. In those small moments, He works in ways that we may only begin to understand over time, gradually revealing His love and presence.
This Christmas, I invite you to notice and appreciate the small moments. Look for the smile of a stranger when you hold the door open, the sparkle in a child’s eyes when they see the first snow, the warmth of a shared cup of tea or coffee or chocolate with a friend. These moments are gifts—small reflections of the Lord’s love in our everyday lives.
And perhaps, in the spirit of the simple humility of that first Christmas, we can share moments of kindness with those around us. A kind word, a bit of our time, a listening ear—these are the true gifts of Christmas, and they bring light into a world that so often can feel dark to some.
May you find joy this Christmas in the little things, and may those small moments bring you closer to the Lord’s presence.
Rev. Glenn “Mac” Frazier, Pastor
Washington New Church, 2024-11-25
