Month: December 2024

Granddaughter is visiting us with her daddy, our son. We have fun together when she visits. When we got back in town she said: “Aha, my horsies are back again!” She is entirely thrilled by horses and ponies and opa and oma must be put ‘in the harness’ and we have to gallop around the house.  It is time for lunch. My wife puts together the food on the table and we sit around the table with the four of us, the little one on her throne, the children’s chair. She eats like a horsy herself and we talk and laugh. “Wow, she eats a lot”, is what my son says. Yes, that happens when you take the time and attention to sit around the table and enjoy a meal together! No phones, no laptops, no quick bite in between other activities.   Connection happens a lot more when we’re taking intentional time for it. That happens with families when they sit around the table. That happens with workers in a company when they listen to each other. That happens in a church where people get and take the time to meet. That happens in small groups where people get together to read the Word, share their lives and pray together.   We live in a very scattered world together, where attention is absorbed by many screens. And consequently, it can’t go to people. Look around you in the tram, train or the bus; about 80% of the people are looking at their phones, so they’re not looking at each other or the world that goes by. They don’t see an elderly person enters the bus and needs a place to sit or an helping hand to land safely in a chair.  I’ve learned that in Switzerland, when you clink glasses together and wish each other ‘Santé’ or ‘Prost’ or ‘Cheers’, you must look the other person that you’re clinking with, in the eyes. If you don’t do that, it is considered impolite. So, remember that next time when you clink glasses and there are Swiss people in the mix!  But much rather, let’s make it a habit when we meet people, to look them in the eye. Connect. See them. Appreciate them. The people that are right in front of you are more important for the moment than the people that are WhatsApping you, pinging you, messaging you or posting on social media.  Real connection happens a lot more when we take the time to see each other, sit down, talk, exchange, swap stories and listen.   Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your friendliness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:4-6  Let your friendliness be evident to all. Through that friendliness, it will be easier to rejoice in the Lord and not to be anxious about anything.  

I read an article about Advent Calendars on the Dutch news site NOS. It is quite the thing these days. “When Advent starts, I start every day with a laugh. I enjoy it every day. Every morning when I get up, I get a present. Not all of them in one shot, that is not how it is supposed to be done. In the little cubicle for the 24th of December–Christmas Eve–there is usually the biggest present.” If you think this is the ‘testimony’ of a child who finds chocolate behind every little door, you’re mistaken. This is a grown-up who has an Advent Calendar from some beauty shop. The little presents are eyeliner, eye shadow, foundation, mascara, perfume, lotion, lipstick and the like. It seems that the Advent Calendar originates from 19th-century Germany. The little doors or drawers of the calendar contained Bible verses or Christmas figurants like shepherds, angels, wise men and of course baby Jesus. It helped to catch the attention of the children to help them understand what the Christmas story is about. This concept was commercialized quickly. Soon, chocolates or sweets were included behind the little doors and nowadays we also have Advent Calendars from pet shops, so that the dog or cat can also celebrate Advent. The dollar, franc and euro soon took over quickly and decisively. In the article, some psychologist also puts in her two cents worth: “We have little control about the things that happen around us. An Advent Calendar offers some security. It can be comforting, such a ritual. Opening a little door every day can give you some rest.” Wow… security, comfort and rest… from an Advent Calendar! We have an ‘Advent Calendar’ too in our home. Look at the picture and meet our Santa. It doesn’t offer security, comfort and rest, just chocolate calories. Since my wife and I both don’t really need the calories and we don’t have our granddaughter living at our house, at the end of the Advent season, many little drawers are still chocolate-filled. I prefer to get my security, comfort and rest from another more secure source. Here is the best Advent advice I can give you, for myself and for everybody who wants to take it to heart: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28+29). The good thing is that His kind of rest is not only good for 24 days in the last month of the year. It is good for every day, every sleepless night in which things look dark and gloomy, each rainy and grey day, in good times and bad times. Happy Advent folks! Hope came into our world and wants to invade it permanently!