Rediscovering the True Meaning of the Holidays: A Journey of Gratitude, Giving, and Connection
As the festive season approaches, do you ever find yourself caught in a whirlwind of commercialism rather than genuine celebration? Are you anticipating the overwhelming crowds at shopping malls, the endless rounds of holiday parties, or the ceaseless allure of sugary treats? Perhaps it’s the pressure of buying presents upon presents, or even adorning your beloved pet with bows and ribbons until they’re ready to bark, “Bah Humbug!”
But what if this holiday season could be profoundly different? What if we could shift our focus from the typical hustle and bustle to something more meaningful, more heartwarming, and more truly joyful?
I hold a deep passion for cultivating a truly meaningful holiday season—one brimming with genuine “good cheer” and lasting memories. That’s why when I was presented with the incredible opportunity by Folgers and Blogher to share my cherished holiday traditions and insights, I eagerly embraced it. This collaboration allows me to offer a glimpse into my personal world and the lessons I’ve learned about celebrating with purpose. I’m also thrilled to invite you to share your own invaluable traditions and treasured memories. Join me as we explore how to make this holiday season not just enjoyable, but truly transformative. I can’t wait to connect with your stories!
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Allow me to share some of my favorite ways to embrace the holidays, focusing on moments that bring warmth, connection, and profound joy:
The Heart of Gratitude: Celebrating Thanksgiving with Family and Tradition
There is no better way to officially kick off the holiday season than with Thanksgiving, a holiday singularly dedicated to the power of gratitude. It’s truly remarkable that our nation sets aside an entire day—often accompanied by a precious extra day or two off work—to pause, reflect on our blessings, and celebrate with the people we hold dearest. This focus on thankfulness right at the beginning sets a beautiful, appreciative tone for the weeks that follow.
I am incredibly fortunate to come from a family that has maintained the tradition of spending every Thanksgiving together. Each year, we all make the journey home to Wichita, where three generations gather under one roof. The day unfolds at a wonderfully unhurried pace, allowing us to truly savor each moment. We catch up on life’s happenings, share laughter that echoes through the house, watch spirited football games, and, of course, unite in creating and then relishing an extraordinary meal. Our family is blessed with an abundance of stellar cooks, ensuring a feast that is both bountiful and diverse—ranging from timeless traditional dishes to innovative culinary creations, and always including my younger cousin’s beloved mac-and-cheese. It’s a day defined by connection, comfort, and culinary delight, truly a highlight of the year.
As Thanksgiving evening draws to a close, another cherished tradition begins in Kansas City: the magical lighting of the Plaza lights. While I’m typically still in Wichita for the main event, I eagerly anticipate my return home to witness this historic area, conveniently located near my own house, transformed into a dazzling spectacle of shimmering lights. This annual display unfailingly imbues the entire season with a truly enchanting and magical glow, serving as a beautiful bridge between the quiet gratitude of Thanksgiving and the expectant joy of Advent.
Embracing Advent: A Season of Purpose, Giving, and Community
Over the past few years, my church has embraced an extraordinary global movement known as the “Advent Conspiracy.” This initiative has profoundly reshaped my understanding and experience of the Advent season. I wholeheartedly adore its principles and impact. You can delve into its origins by watching the compelling short video that ignited it all here, or view a powerful video my friend Jason crafted for the movement here.
At its core, the Advent Conspiracy is a movement dedicated to reclaiming the Christmas season, allowing it to once again be a truly world-changing event. Instead of succumbing to the typical holiday stress, frantic busyness, rampant consumerism, and often, the resulting debt that commercial industries relentlessly promote, my friends and I actively strive to define our Advent season by four powerful tenets:
- Worship Fully: Delving deeper into the spiritual significance of the season, understanding the profound story of hope and expectation.
- Spend Less: Consciously reducing unnecessary financial expenditure on gifts and material possessions.
- Give More: Redirecting resources and time towards meaningful acts of generosity, both locally and globally.
- Love All: Extending compassion, kindness, and service to everyone, embodying the spirit of Christ’s unconditional love.
While I plan to delve into this topic further in upcoming posts, it’s difficult to fully convey the depth of meaning and transformation I’ve experienced by walking through this journey as a community. It has proven to be a far more impactful learning experience than we initially imagined, particularly in fostering intentionality with our time, rethinking our spending habits, and discovering creative ways to give truly meaningful gifts to our friends, family, and indeed, to the wider world. Personally, I’ve found immense joy in exploring the Advent narrative more deeply, appreciating how faith meets us in seasons of waiting, hope, and joyful anticipation. It’s truly good for the soul.
Despite the challenges that inevitably arise when attempting to live out such a counter-cultural story, it has also been incredibly enjoyable and rewarding. For those who may not know, crafting is one of my favorite hobbies, right alongside cooking! This year, I’m particularly excited to lead one of our church’s gift-making workshops. These workshops are held in November, a strategic effort to free up December for genuine relaxation and reflection. We’ll be focusing on repurposing Altoid tins into clever homemade magnet or lipstick holders—a fun and sustainable approach to gifting. Furthermore, our annual Christmas party at my house has a unique twist: instead of guests bringing countless dishes, I provide the food, and everyone brings children’s books, which we then donate to an amazing local non-profit organization. It’s consistently one of the most heartwarming nights of my entire year, brimming with collective generosity.
Without a doubt, one of the most inspiring aspects of the Advent Conspiracy over these past few years has been witnessing the incredible story unfold regarding the wells our church has helped build in western Kenya. Bringing clean water to under-resourced countries was a foundational focus of the Advent Conspiracy movement, and the progress made in just a few short years is truly extraordinary. While we acknowledge there is still much work ahead, seeing footage and hearing firsthand accounts of fresh water gushing forth from these wells for the very first time instills an immense sense of hope and purpose. It profoundly reminds us that we truly can be the generation that brings about significant, life-changing difference.
Evidently, I could speak endlessly about the Advent season. It has genuinely transformed into one of the most memorable and deeply meaningful periods of my year. I eagerly await its arrival each time. It’s a testament to how shifting our perspective can infuse even familiar traditions with renewed purpose and joy.
The Joy of Christmas: A Celebration of Emmanuel and Family Bonds
And then, of course, we arrive at the culmination of the season—Christmas. This is the ultimate event that everything leads up to, the singular occurrence that forever changed the world, and indeed, my world. It signifies heaven breaking into earth, the profound truth of Emmanuel, God with us. This, above all, is the ultimate reason to celebrate with unrestrained joy and gratitude.
As a worship leader in my church, I have the profound privilege of immersing myself fully in this celebration. With what feels like countless Christmas services—truly, I believe we now host at least fifteen—my festive duties actually commence on Christmas Eve Eve. From the vibrant energy of gospel music to the soulful rhythms of rock, the timeless beauty of traditional carols, and the breathtaking moment when thousands of candles illuminate the sanctuary during “Silent Night,” each service is a deeply meaningful celebration of Christ’s birth. It’s an experience I anticipate with excitement throughout the entire year.
Following these uplifting services, I typically embark on a late-night drive back home to Wichita, ensuring I spend Christmas Eve with my beloved family. I’ve been incredibly fortunate in recent years to have Christmas Eve night off, allowing for truly cherished time. Our evening usually begins with a wonderful dinner shared with extended family, a time for warm conversation and shared plates. This is followed by the joyful exchange of gifts and comforting cups of coffee. Afterward, everyone makes their way to the midnight Christmas Eve service at my parents’ church—more flickering candles, more beloved carols, and deeper reflections on the profound mystery and miracle of Christmas. It’s also a precious opportunity to embrace old friends and share cherished stories, further weaving the fabric of our community.
Finally, with our stockings carefully hung—not by a chimney, but usually by our trusty bookcase—we all settle down for our long winter’s naps. Christmas morning begins with the delightful discovery of a few gifts and stockings from “Santa,” who still mysteriously visits my sister, brother-in-law, my puppy, and me. This joyous start is followed by a relaxed brunch, allowing for a leisurely morning with family. The afternoon is often highlighted by another exciting football game, indulging in more yummy holiday treats, and a steadfast family tradition: tackling a large jigsaw puzzle. Ever since we were small children, completing a puzzle together has been an integral and heartwarming part of our Christmas day celebration, a quiet, collaborative activity that reinforces our bond.
After a few days immersed in the warmth of family and holiday cheer, I pack up my car and make the snowy drive back to Kansas City, ready to embrace a new year. My hope is always that each holiday season leaves me, and all of us, changed for the better, renewed in spirit and purpose.
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Share Your Holiday Spirit: Engage and Win!
Now, I’d love to turn the question to you: what are your most cherished aspects of the holiday season? What traditions have you embraced in the past, or what new meaningful practices do you hope to implement this year, to ensure your holidays are truly full of meaning and “good cheer”? Please share your thoughts and stories in the comments below—I’m genuinely excited to read them!
For those eager to take their holiday reflections a step further, I warmly encourage you to participate in Folger’s “Best Part Of Wakin’ Up At Home For The Holidays” essay contest. This fantastic contest, open for entries until November 30th, invites everyone to share their personal answer to the question: “What’s the best part of wakin’ up at home for the holidays with Folgers Coffee?” Five fortunate winners will receive an incredible prize: a trip home to reunite with their family this Christmas! You can find all the comprehensive details about this exciting opportunity here. Additionally, be sure to explore the holiday stories shared by the nine other talented BlogHer bloggers who have joined me in this festive initiative; you can discover their inspiring contributions here.
Thank you for taking the time to read along and share in my holiday reflections. I’m truly looking forward to sharing another wonderful holiday season—complete with a fresh batch of yummy new recipes—with all of you right here at Gimme Some Oven. May your holidays be filled with joy, purpose, and delicious moments!