“Year-End Inventory”

The final month of 2022 and with it, all the robust celebrations associated with Advent and the Christmas season. December is a month when the weather gets much colder, snow looks to make itself known again and televisions are blaring gift ideas, one right after another. We are busy with shopping, baking, visiting and traveling. People seem to squeeze a years’ worth of camaraderie and quality time into a single month. Then we believe that a gift will substitute for the absence of fellowship and friendship that lacked during the earlier 11 months.

This is not to make anyone regret or feel bad about the preceding year; but, it may help us to realize just what we can miss by falling into a trend of making the holiday season the exclusive time of year to reach out and connect. We should look to make time to enjoy the bonds of fellowship and family in every season throughout the year. The Bible encourages the benefit in coming together regularly and encouraging one another through our camaraderie. Hebrews 10:24-25 says,

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

It seems to be the trend that as the year closes, we stop to take inventory of the recent year, or perhaps, the years, past. It is a shame that people move about, going here and there, doing this and that; all the while missing the opportunities to gather together to express our love of one another. Though it does require us to take the time to plan and make the gathering happen, most people and that it is nice to spend time with family and friends. With this being the case, why not spend the time to do it more often throughout the rest of the year?

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.