Born on a New Day

By
Why do you celebrate the holidays?  Is it because:

  • you love the idea of fun and festivity with family and friends?
  • you like to create an eye-catching table and a delicious feast for guests?
  • you want to counteract cold, dark weather with lights and sparkle?
  • you enjoy making, shopping for, giving, and receiving presents?
  • you feel a connection to the natural world and the beauties of winter?
  • you long for an atmosphere of kindness and goodwill?
  • you're awed and humbled by God's care for and intervention in our world?
  • you're inspired to worship Jesus because of his humility and sacrifice? 


There are probably other reasons I haven't thought of.


Christmas stars



What's the point?


The holidays are supposed to mean something.  They should be more than a date on the calendar, more than just another day spent in front of a screen, and more than a retailer's dream come true.


Whatever way you celebrate, if it gets you outside of yourself and the things that usually occupy your time and your mind, I think that's a good thing.




A turning point


I like to share a song each year for the holiday because for me, Christmas usually revolves around music.  (Use these links to read posts about holiday music from 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018.)  This year I've chosen "Born on a New Day."  The text for this lovely song is by Philip Lawson, with a tune by John David.


You are the new day.

Meekness, love, humility
Came down to us this day:
Christ, your birth has proved to me
You are the new day.
Quiet in a stall you lie,
Angels watching in the sky
Whisper to you from on high
"You are the new day."

When our life is darkest night,
Hope has burned away;
Love, your ray of guiding light,
Show us the new day.
Love of all things great and small
Leaving none, embracing all,
Fold around me where I fall,
Bring in the new day.

This new day will be
A turning point for everyone,
If we let the Christ-child in, and
Reach for the new day.
Christ the Way, the Truth, the Life,
Healing sadness, ending strife;
You we welcome, Lord of life,
Born on a new day.

You are the new day.


If you like, listen to a fantastic performance by The King's Singers.




Forget business as usual.


I know you're busy, but take just a few minutes and think about the promise of the season.  This holiday is about "love of all things great and small/leaving none, embracing all."  It's about hope.  It's about meekness and humility that heals division and strife.  


Maybe you're a Christian, as I am.  If I really want to welcome the birth of the Christ-child, it's not enough to obey a set of rules or mentally agree to a set of beliefs.  I need to behave not as if I'm a chosen, special person, but like the recipient of grace and forgiveness.  I'm not especially worthy – I'm just like everyone else.  So I need to extend to everyone else the kindness and self-sacrifice I've received from God.  That might mean worrying a little less about my rights and including those who don't think exactly the same way I do. 


The broadcasters and the retailers have their agendas, and I won't let them influence mine.


I pray that all of us can approach that turning point and learn a new way.


A blessed holiday to all of you!


Comments

  1. LisaDecember 23, 2022 at 6:22 AM

    I’ve been enjoying your blog for a few months. I am a Christian and an aspiring minimalist, so I find your posts to be informative, fun and inspirational. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerJanuary 19, 2023 at 12:33 PM

      You're welcome, Lisa! Many blessings to you in the New Year.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousDecember 23, 2022 at 1:37 PM

    Beautiful, thank you! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerJanuary 19, 2023 at 12:33 PM

      And a blessed New Year to you! Thank you for reading.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousDecember 30, 2022 at 9:44 AM

    I like how you bring in your faith to your decisions and lifestyle. I believe if one’s faith is real then it is not a separate thing or practice but a interwoven part of how we live. I appreciate your practical tips but follow you bc of your faith. Gail TF

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerJanuary 19, 2023 at 12:35 PM

      Hello, Gail. I absolutely agree that a true faith permeates every aspect of life. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

45 Useful Tips to Help You Responsibly Declutter Unwanted Items

By
Image
Do you ever drive down the highway or out on a country road and see someone's old couch or mattress?  When driving through the orchards and croplands around my town, I sometimes see stuff like this in an irrigation ditch.  I can't believe people do this, and leave it for the farmers to clean up or pay for disposal. Tossing stuff you no longer need or want into a dumpster isn't minimalism – it's the equivalent of littering , just like the people who throw things out on the side of the road.  It may seem simple, but it's not responsible or good for the environment. Unfortunately, some of what we remove from our homes is garbage , and there's no place for it but the landfill.  But when getting rid of clutter means mindlessly tossing it into the garbage, it becomes too easy to buy more and fill our homes up all over again.   By becoming more accountable, we change our minds about purchasing.  I believe that when you thoughtfully declutter, you'll become very sen
Read more

12 Tips to Try When You're Frustrated with Decluttering

By
Image
I won't sugar-coat it – decluttering is a hard job.  The more you're stressed and challenged by your home – the more you need the benefits that come with decluttering – the bigger the job probably is.  The advantages are real, but so is the frustration.  At times, you may feel tired, sad, or overwhelmed.  Letting go of stuff requires constant decision-making, and sometimes you'll need a break. And you deserve one!  You're not just decluttering, you're in the process of changing your mindset and your habits , and that's hard for anyone.  So when you feel like the job is too big, or that you should have everything under control, remember that no one has it all under control.  We're human, which means that we often have to learn the hard way.  But the victory will be even sweeter because you made it through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. When you feel like giving up, on decluttering or anything else, be gentle with yourself, and say goodbye to
Read more

Why You Should Make "Less is More" Your Mantra for Life

By
Image
Maybe you've heard the saying popularized by architect Mies van der Rohe in 1947:  "Less is more." It's an oxymoron – a phrase that seems to contradict itself.  Others include "old news," "open secret," "unbiased opinion," and "awfully good."  Or the lament, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." What does "less is more" mean?  It's wonderfully open-ended.  Answers to that are as varied as the people who reply.  Consider: Less anxiety, more peace. Less debt, more savings. Less busywork, more substance. Less clutter, more space. Less comparison, more contentment. Less sugar, more vegetables. Voluntary simplicity Back in the 1990s, a fair number of Americans realized that the continual quest for more and better was stressing them out and keeping them from creating lives of purpose.  After the consumerist binge of the yuppie-era 80s, some started wondering if the big house, flashy car, exotic vacation, and Rolex we
Read more

Why You Should Try Wearing the Same Clothes Every Day

By
Image
Wearing the same clothes every day would get boring, wouldn't it? A long time ago, I had a job that required a uniform, and I have to say it did make life easier .  I had three copies of my work outfit, and there was never a question about what to wear.  I never worried whether my clothes were stylish or "right," because everyone else wore the same thing. The same argument has been used in public and private schools in favor of student uniforms.  Rather than constant worries about fashion and comparisons and dress codes, a uniform makes everything simple.  It's one less thing to think about in the complex life of a student. Many people argue that clothes make a statement about who you are.  "I express myself through my clothes" is a comment I've often heard, usually from women.  The idea of a uniform scares them, because how will they make themselves noticeable or unique ? I think we might be imagining some sort of Handmaid's Tale society, where we
Read more

The Hygge Way to Clean and Declutter

By
Image
When I returned home from a weekend trip recently, I immediately unpacked my suitcase, washed a load of dirty clothes, and put everything away.  It made me feel settled and at home.  It was comfortable. A few days later, I felt a bit restless, so I set my writing aside and started cleaning.  I cleaned the refrigerator door and wiped the kitchen counters.  I swept the porch and mopped the floor in our small entry hall.  I decluttered a few old papers from my file box.  It felt good. Self-soothing with home care For me, cleaning, organizing, and decluttering are a form of self-care.  Tidying gives me satisfaction.  It makes me feel that I'm managing my life and ready for what's next. A hygge home isn't dirty.  It's not cluttered with garbage, dirty dishes, or things we never use or put away.  It's not covered in a thick layer of dust.  So don't decide that pouring a glass of wine, lighting a candle, and snuggling under a blanket is hygge, but running the vacuum is
Read more