Friday, January 9, 2026
Friday after the Feast of Epiphany
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Holiday magic
The report about him spread all the more,
and great crowds assembled to listen to him
and to be cured of their ailments,
but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.
During the holiday season, which circled around and landed on two Thursdays and then this Tuesday, many meetings were cancelled so that celebrations could take place. Bible studies, small group prayer meetings, Sunday School classes decided to take a break, so we could travel, or host our friends and family. The leaders needed a break as much as anyone.
But some people fell through the cracks a bit. Holidays when you are alone aren’t the same, and the folks who live through those times know it. Deep calls to deep … but not if I’m nervous about calling my friend with my deep fear or question, or doubt. And not if I feel sick, but no one answers the phone. Over the last few weeks several friends fell sick, or encountered a legal crisis, or wanted to someone to weep with instead of by themselves.
Of course many others who spent the holidays alone were happy to avoid the chaos of Christmas shopping and traffic and expectations. They relished their solitude. On the day after, our family’s big Christmas feast included two friends from Empty Nesters class who spent their holiday alone (and were happy doing it).
This is the testimony:
God gave us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
Whoever possesses the Son has life.
I reflect, and remember our sleepovers with Miles and Jasper … our sweet hours with Finn who now has his own playpen and will soon be standing up hanging on its walls … our magical tours through Christmas lights all around Austin … Christmas Eve stockings, charcuterie, candles and prayer … Christmas morning pigs-in-a-blanket, prayers, a nativity play where everyone played a part … gifts that were piled high before unwrapping and even higher after the surprised shouts of joy …
We spent parts of several days with our grandson, and it might be nice to rest afterward, but I would never turn down an invitation to be with Miles, Jasper and Finn. Two Saturday sleepovers in a row? What a joy.
New Year’s Eve was meant to be a party, but some of us were sick. (Finally. So much to do makes for stress, and stress makes for sickness.) But on January 1 we watched our own ball drop. We counted down our own clocks at noon. Andi hosted our second annual “Around the World Christmas Food Cooking Competition Potluck.”
Each person or pair creates a traditional Christmas recipe from around the world that they are unfamiliar with or that they love. We share information about the Christmas tradition of that food and country, and we will pray for the country. We’ll eat and then vote for the winner, who gets a trophy, which they will keep until next year, when the trophy will go to that year’s winner. (Oh, by the way, Miles and Jasper would like to make the dessert.)
Who won? Ah, I’ll let you know that … tomorrow.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
(1 John 5, Psalm 147, Matthew 4, Luke 5)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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