Christmas Trees After Halloween

This year, my family became those people.

The people I used to talk about each Fall. The people who couldn't let Thanksgiving even get a hint of the spotlight before they rushed to put their Christmas decorations up. I mocked and judged them, irritated that they rushed the seasons and refused to remain in the present. 

Or so I thought.

My husband often says pain is one of our greatest teachers. It took pain for me to change my perspective of these people and to join them in their Holly Jolly festivities. 

In October, my pastor husband and I faced an avalanche of jaw-dropping ministry crises. Instantly propelling us into the role of spiritual ER doctors. Once we stabilized our patients, we exhaled a long sigh of relief and exhaustion. We are grateful to the Lord for sustaining us. But, we felt overwhelmed with preparing for the upcoming ministry season. 

In our roles, we always think a season ahead. We already have the Christmas Eve service mapped out. Not because we want to rush the season. We need to prepare to lead our congregation through the holidays.

We usually put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. But the season has felt rushed the last few years.  

This year, we decided to become those people.