Saturday, December 15, 2018

December 15, 2018

Dear Aspen Chapel Families,

     It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! In many of our homes the tree is up, lights are strung, candlelight pierces the dark of early evenings, and there's even snow on the ground! It can feel so magical for our kids when rituals are repeated from years past and familiar ornaments are hung. But for parents, there can be other indicators of the season: full voicemail boxes, closets stuffed with bags of hopeful purchases and tape and more wrapping paper, unfolded laundry and full hampers, cars full of bags of old clothing we had hoped to give away weeks ago, and Thanksgiving leftovers in the refrigerator. Still.
   
     As beautiful as this season is with the anticipation, the decorations, the music, and all the tree-lighting ceremonies and Santa visits, it can be very overwhelming and exhausting for parents. To do it perfectly. To have everything just right before they arrive or before going. The race against time in order to pull it all off interferes with good sleep, getting outside, and being present with ourselves and our families. We go through the motions, but we don't necessarily feel the spirit of Christmas.

     Once in awhile throughout this season, it hits us. We come across an adorable letter for Santa or we witness our children performing music or dance or an athletic feat, and tears well up. When these fleeting moments move us, we are feeling the spirit of Christmas. We are feeling Spirit, which is available to us all year long when we pause in gratitude.

     This coming Sunday, the 16th, we are all invited to the chapel to quiet the running commentary in our heads about how much more there is to do. Through "Lessons and Carols" we can remember the true meaning of Christmas and let ourselves be moved by the music and wisdom. All children are invited and encouraged to stay in the sanctuary with their parents to enjoy this beautiful celebration. We will have childcare available for those who need something more interactive, but we would love the children to join us upstairs for the whole service, if possible.

     If we can, we'll gather all the children at the end of "Lessons and Carols" to light our candle for JOY downstairs. In this week of Advent, our theme in Sunday School is JOY. As individual families, perhaps we can carry this theme into the week by setting intentions around feeling joy. We can identify areas that bring us joy, and avoid activities or tasks that don't. And if we have to let many things go, like finding the perfect gift or dusting baseboards, in order to feel JOY, so be it. If our children witness us feeling JOY, these special rituals will imprint a positive memory and likely get continued when they're adults.

    I look forward to seeing you all Sunday!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Holiday Storytime & Ornaments
December 23rd from 2-4

Christmas Eve Service for Children
December 24th at 4:00

Parents' Night Out
December 27th from 5:30-8:30


If you ever have questions concerning our services
or your children's needs, please email me at
michelle@aspenchapel.org



In Peace and Blessings,
Michelle Skagen
Aspen Chapel Youth Coordinator

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