Merry Christmas from the Cloeters

Merry Christmas from the Cloeter family.  

I find it interesting that this one holiday causes the world to stop.  Regardless of religion, culture, or nationality, most of the world acknowledges Christmas as a holiday, even if they don't observe it.  Even the post office and the economy take a quick breather.  

Although the whole world pauses for a moment, a lot is missed.  The focus is often food, family, or consumerism.  The pause of a holiday is loaded with a million things we feel the need to do.  

The account of the nativity tells us that at the birth of Jesus humanity was largely passive.  God himself, with angels as his agents - he was doing all the work (Mary had some labor too).  After Jesus was born, everyone just came and gazed on him with awe and wonder.  

No to-do list.  
No busy schedule that obliges us to see every Aunt and Uncle.  
No meal preparations or gift exchange.  
Just sit, look, and ponder.   

See you in the New Year.