Well, my Christmas is over. Work-wise, that is. We had two services at the church tonight and I put in my 12 hour day preparing for and executing the technical and communications aspects of those services. It was quite a chore. Now I get to rest for a few days before beginning the January grind. I've really needed this rest. (That being said, I DID shamefully bring work home to do! But I can do it at MY pace this time.). The whole concept of rest (both biblically and in reality) has been on the forefront of my mind and heart this year. I'm just plain burned out.
Christmas did me in this time. No, not the holiday itself but, instead, the church ministry that revolves around the busy month of December. There is A LOT going on this month! And I found myself working 12-hour days every week and sacrificing off days for the sake of getting work done. It was exhausting. And now fatigue has caught up with me.
You know, Christmas has always been a wonderful time for me, my most special time of the year. But as I've grown older and dived head-first into church ministry I've found that my enjoyment of the season has changed. It's sad, really. I no longer find Christmas relaxing and fun. I used to love to see the beauty of garland and bows but now I'm too busy to truly enjoy it. People start taking down their decorations just when I am finally able to take a break and celebrate Christmas — AFTER the holiday. I'm sorry for my cynicism and grumbling tone. I meant to leave them in the car on my way home. But Christmas is work for me now and stress kills the spirit. Stress always kills the spirit, doesn't it?
I've found through two churches and eight years of church ministry that December is a busy month. We have concerts, banquets, programs and worship services. The services are major events, since Christmas Eve and Easter are the two highest-attended days of the church year. If not for snow and ice here in North Texas, I imagine we would've had over 2,000 people flooding our hallways tonight. Those are precious, valuable souls — some of whom may finally "get" the Gospel message this time. So doing everything I can to help them is very important. And I enjoy doing everything I can, even if it exhausts me.
Ministry is worth it, though it seems that ministers are always on the edge of burnout. We have high-stress jobs, whether counseling, teaching kids, or creating art. Please pray for us all. Christmas is exhausting. And we need rest.
So on this night before Christmas, as I use my last bit of energy to type and spell, I am finally able to rest. Soon I'll be sleeping, and tomorrow awaken to the sight of a white Christmas — an event very rare in North Texas. Maybe I'll make a snowman. Maybe not. Maybe I'll just enjoy being with my family and leave work behind for a day. I hope your Christmas Day is a blessing to you and a time of joy... and rest.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
— Brother John
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