Courage at Christmas
The word courage comes from the Latin root “cor” which means heart. Courage doesn’t come from your body - your buff muscles or your wide stance. It doesn’t come from your head - your clever words or your positive self-talk. Courage is about listening to and following your heart.
Ok, great, wow, neat, you’re thinking - love at Christmas - what a novel idea!
But, I’m not talking about boxes of chocolate and kisses by the fireplace and puppy dogs. I am not even talking about family and friends and food. I’m talking about loving bravely - yourself and others. I am talking about courage - speaking your heart in action and deed. I am talking about showing up, being vulnerable, loving hard and learning from it all. Like Mary, like Joseph, like the innkeepers, the shepherds and kings.
So, how can we show courage at Christmas? I’m working on four courageous areas and welcome you to join me this year.
Try a new tradition. Or drop an old one. What?!?!? Not bring the fruitcake to Aunt Jean’s? Not get the perfect picture in matching jammies? Actually go caroling with the tone deaf neighbors? Stop stressing over that thing that doesn’t serve you and maybe one person will miss? YES. You know what I am talking about. Courage.
Attempt that conversation. In an election year? You’re nuts! Or am I? It’s cheesy, I know, but what would Jesus do? Courage.
Keep boundaries. But, then this, too. Is there a relative that sucks all the energy out of you? Do you need to say “NO” to maintain some sacred space, some family time, some peace and quiet? Courage.
Set aside time for silence and waiting and darkness. It might feel lonely, or scary or wrong. It might feel boring or wasteful or silly. But do it. Sit still in silence. Remember to be patient and wait. Linger in the dark and look for the light. Courage.
These things may sound reasonable or they might sound ridiculous. They might be things you do every year or they might be things you’ve never thought about. Regardless, however you try courage this Christmas keep this in mind: it’s not so hard to be brave when you know what’s going to happen next in the story. And while we can’t predict our own futures, we know the story of Christmas and the story of Jesus. He’s not only going to be born, he’s already here. Born in us. He’s not only going to rise from the dead, he’s already alive. Alive in us.
So have courage this Christmas. God is with you. And that’s the real gift. Amen.
