Hall Family News | December Journal

December has been FULL. This is the word I use when I don’t want to use another letter word: BUSY. Once I learned an acronym for busy (Being Under Satan’s Yoke), I quit using the world. But quitting the practice of being busy has proven to be a much harder task.

December started with miserable sickness (the immobilize you for days straight, can’t fully kick it for weeks kind) and an increase in our visitation schedule to weekend visits (and the BIG emotions of two emotionally drained toddlers who returned to me exhausted and simultaneously unable to sleep). Our days were filled with class parties and Christmas programs for the big kids, foster agency functions, the final stage of preparation for publication for my book, two birthdays (Finn and Michael’s), buying and selling a car, and relatives visiting from out of town. All of these things in addition of course to the usual advocates, social workers, ESD 112 therapists, and visit supervisors in and out of our revolving front door. 

And with the holidays, there were gifts to purchase and wrap, cookies to bake for the neighbors, decorations to put out, Christmas cards to address, parties to host… I couldn’t breathe. Maybe it was the bronchitis I wasn’t able to kick that made me feel like an elephant was sitting on my chest. And maybe, if I’m honest, anxiety was a contributing factor as well.  

“No peace!! No peeeaaaacccceeeee!!!” Lei lei screamed from the back seat of my van when I switched the music from his favorite song to Finn’s request, “Prince of Peace,” that he practiced for his school program. “NO PEACE!!” Lei continued to protest. Ironic.

How could I stop the spinning plates? After all, I was responsible for the Christmas magic. As Lucy put it, “You aren’t just a Christmas elf, you are the Christmas Queen!”

I took the flattery and another peppermint cold brew to fuel me for a bit longer. I knew these false fuels were leading me straight to burn out. I could anticipate the conviction that would come when I re-read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer and To Hell with the Hustle by Jefferson Bethke in January like I always do. Two books that I highly recommend, by the way.

I looked forward to the reset January brings, but what about December? Truthfully, in December it feels almost impossible to resist the hustle and the bustle of the season. I have successfully revolted in years past, wrestling daily into rest through the holiday season like Hebrews 4 instructs us to do, but not since becoming a foster parent. Despite my stress and striving, there were gifts of grace scattered in every day. Moments where I paused long enough to experience the greatest gift: Emmanuel, God with us. In the middle of my anxiety, my sickness, my fear, my over-consumption, my agitation, there He is: Emmanuel, God with me. 

I paused long enough to recognize His presence during our daily advent reading, even though we missed more scriptures than we read. 

I sensed His presence with us during the entire 40 hr. kid-free (thank you to my parents and Shannon for this incredible gift!) getaway for Michael’s birthday. It amazed me what some quiet time for reconnection and reflection and healing sea air can do for my soul. 

I knew His presence was with us as we picked up Lei & Polly’s mom on Christmas Eve. I feel his unconditional love for her every time we are together. I’m convinced that the gift of togetherness can heal a world of brokenness. 

I encountered Emmanuel, God with us, rounding the corner from my parent’s living room to the kitchen as I saw my family all working together to make tamales. What a miracle it is that we don’t just love each other, we like each other. I thought of all the years making tamales with Papa Leigh, Grandma Irene and my Great-Grandma whom we called Nana. I am overcome with the goodness and faithfulness of the Father.

I believe it was a gift of the Spirit when we got to visit our friend’s farm and cuddle their fresh litter of collie pups. Pure joy, one of the greatest gifts of the Spirit.

I was faced with the same sweet Spirit again, this time bringing conviction, as my children sang (more like yelled) the lyrics to “What is Christmas.” “Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year? What is Christmas if there never was a savior wrapped in a manger? What is Christmas if the angels never sang Glory to the newborn King? What is Christmas without Christ?”

I remembered, Emanuel, God with us, each day when I brought Lei home and he cried out in distress “Oh no! On no! Lights off!” He was on a mission to solve this problem with a click of a button, making us the only house in the neighborhood to have our Christmas lights on at 3pm. The Spirit used our unplanned daily ritual to remind me of Matthew 5:14-15. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I teared up in the presence of Emmanuel, God with us, as I watched Lucy play Mary in her Christmas program with courage, reverence and dedication. 

Despite the hustle and bustle that we all could do without, on Christmas morning I once again breathed in the tangible presence of Emmanuel, God with us. The greatest gift we’ve been given and the greatest gift we can give our kids: the gift of presence. We moved slowly, giving plenty of time to savor bites of cinnamon rolls, bacon, and my favorite: scrambled eggs and tamales. We sipped coffee and coco in between stockings and gift exchanges. Something about Christmas makes us want to savor it all, the smiles, the songs, the smells, the sweets. 

After a much needed nap, my parents, sister, brother-in-law and the cousins joined us for charcuterie, games, and Christmas dinner. We open gifts one person at a time and we all agree telling the children, “You can wait for your turn,” twenty times is worth the effort to resist the craziness of years past when everyone opened their gifts at once in a frenzy. 

I found myself asking the same question I asked last year and the one before. Do these experiences have to be reserved just for Christmas? Is it possible to savor ordinary days in a way that unlocks an extraordinary life of joy? 

I think so, and I intend to pursue more presence-driven, present-living in the New Year. The gift of Christmas is that Emanuel goes with us into January and February, too. His Spirit has gone ahead of us to prepare the way for us to walk with Him. I pray that I better learn the pace of grace and sync with the cadence of the Spirit in 2025. I pray we learn together.