Happy New Year! I read one time that most people look forward to New Year’s Eve more than Christmas. The reason being that on New Year’s Eve they get to celebrate with their friends and Christmas finds them having to spend long hours with family members they have been avoiding since the last holiday gathering. I laughed out loud because I could relate. There are some holiday gatherings that I am happy to forget (we all have those stories). But there are others that were special for so many reasons.

I have found that the family gatherings that mean the most to me are not necessary the ones that were surrounded by momentous occasions, rather they are the simple times we came together and grew closer together. I can remember broken down cars, long walks, snowstorms, swimming at the lake and day trips in the car. Mostly spur of the moment events that forced us to forget about the pomp and circumstance of making great memories. Instead, just simple days that have formed lasting memories of love in my mind and heart.

Thinking about the holidays I am reminded that so many times we try very hard to make our family gatherings special. We want this one day to be the one everyone remembers. The time that we all got along. It seems that the stress of making great memories over takes the day and before we know if we cannot wait for our family to leave so we can relax and enjoy our time with those who know us best, our friends. Ironic isn’t it?

It seems that we place higher expectations upon those who have known us the longest and have loved us even when we ignored and avoided them. As this new year begins I think about how that transfers to our participation with our church families. Are you looking forward to the blessings that will come with this new year and how that will grow your faith and the faith of others. Or are you dreading the next holiday gathering (Easter) because you’ll have to make your appearance and act like you want to be there?

It is the simple moments that draw us closer together as the Body of Christ. It is spending our time together and enjoying the gift of each other, even when it is hard, that makes us stronger. I challenge you to start enjoying those simple times—coffee in the kitchen, conversation when you meet, folding bulletins, Sunday School and quiet moments in the sanctuary to name a few. This year enjoy the simple moments so that when the big holidays come you won’t be looking forward to their end, but rather you will be celebrating with joy the miracle of being together. - Cheyanna