It’s the most wonderful time of the year! November and December usher in wonderful opportunities to reflect on the blessings in our lives as well as the people who make our lives richer! But as our calendars fill up and our wallets empty, the season seems to slip by much too quickly and on January 2nd, we look in our rearview mirror wondering how it flew by in the blink of an eye!
It feels this way each year for me… so, I’ve been contemplating… what can I do, or not do, to treasure the days, value the moments, and capture the pleasure instead of haphazardly racing through the season.
Savor… I’ve decided to purposely savor… savor the preparations, savor the time invested, savor the opportunities, savor the finds, savor the people!
Savoring involves using the 5 senses to experience and appreciate the world around us.
Tasting… so easy this time of year! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa… each involves deliciously prepared foods that we anticipate each year. But there’s so much more to tasting! The preparation time and effort going into our food can involve times of cooking together, whipping up cookies with a promising baker, sharing a special recipe with a new family member, inviting the input of someone who usually doesn’t offer it. Savor the moments of food preparation as well as the food.
Smelling…. Ahhh, at this moment, there’s a caramel pecan candle filling my home with a sense of warmth and delight. Cinnamon, pine, favorite perfumes, honeyed-ham, all evoking images that bring delight… or maybe not. Our sense of smell is uniquely connected to our memory. Sometimes memories can be painful or remind us of loss. But even those moments have value. They remind us of past blessings, victories over pain, and anticipation of new memories being made. Savor the smells and the memories that come with them.
Feeling… Feelings of the heart and feelings of touch are precious opportunities to savor the season! Whether you live alone or in a houseful of chaos, look for opportunities to encourage others with kind words, thoughtful actions, and genuine affection. Give to those who don’t expect it and can’t give in return. Hug instead of shaking hands. Offer soft answers to those whose stress levels push yours. Savor the opportunities to be a blessing.
Seeing… We see with our eyes and envision with our mind. Savor the people in your life with both! See who they are and who they are destined to be. Understand that our loved ones do not always show us their kindest moments yet love embraces the person for who they are not for what they do! Savor the delight on your loved one’s face as they open a gift from you. Capture a mental snapshot of an unexpected, serene moment. Delight in the splashes of color uniquely displayed during the holidays. Savor the sights of your eyes and heart.
Hearing… Close your eyes and hone in on the sounds… the laughter, the music, the greetings, the bells. Choose to tune out the demands on you that seem so urgent—but can wait. Sift through the must dos and set them aside for some things you choose to do that bring you joy. Listen to the words of Christmas Carols, focus on the silly stories your children share, laugh at the joke you’ve heard 10 times before, hear the heart of your loved ones, even if their words don’t match. Listen carefully, hear with your heart and savor the tune.
Savor the Season! Embrace the moments! 
The new year will come with its demanding schedule, list of responsibilities, and new challenges. But for now, pause with me to enjoy this season of celebration! Enjoy the reminder that God loved you so much that He sent Jesus to earth to bring His Kingdom into our hopeless situation. Thank Him for the blessings of breath in your lungs, food on your table, and sunshine each day. He’s a good, good Father!
Live Loved,
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