Back at Work after Labor Day
We're back at work after Labor Day. Good-bye summer doldrums, hello...well, what?
For one thing, hello to a more "normal" pace at work. With summer vacations over, we're either in or just about to get into the thick of it. Depending on your sort of work, before you know it, that end of the year crunch will be here. For whatever the reason, everyone needs to put certain things to bed before the year ends. It could be that a sales target has to be met; or your plan for the New Year needs to be finalized; or you just want to be sure you've got everything covered before you take some down time off between Christmas and New Year's Day. No matter what business I've been in, there's always some sort of "crunch" as Christmas draws closer.
But, hey, we're not there yet. And this being merely the first "post-doldrums" day, let's revisit something we called The Straight Shot to Christmas a few years ago. It's something that's always stirred in my heart and soul as the summer draws to a close. And since it always gives me a lift as I tackle my work on the day after Labor Day, I thought I'd share it with you again. Maybe it will lift you up even as you get down to the daily grind.
The Straight Shot grew from those first first inklings of "Christmas is coming" that arise in the soul as the days grow noticeably shorter towards the end of August. Maybe you've had these feelings yourself. Since summer effectively ends with the Labor Day holiday weekend, thoughts and yearnings begin to turn to the (albeit now distant) coming of Christmas. So from the day after Labor Day until December 25th, we can't help but see, hear and feel the approach of that great holy season that starts with the spirit of preparation beginning the first Sunday of Advent and culminates with the wonder and joy of Our Lord's birth on Christmas Day, extending then through the Twelve Days of Christmas, and only really ending (for us hard core types) with the feast of the Presentation in the Temple on February 2nd. At least that's how I see it.
But a problem arises with each year's "Straight Shot to Christmas" as I return to work the day after Labor Day. The problem is work itself. My childlike heart nurtures an image of growing excitement inspired by the coming of Christmas. But my adult responsibilities of faithfully executing the duties of my job with diligence all too frequently seem to interfere with my enjoyment of the excitement of the days leading up to Christmas. This only increases as we draw closer to Christmas Day. Ah, if only I didn't have to spend so much time and energy at work! If only things could be like they once were when I was a child and all I had in this world was to think and dream of the sacred and secular more and more entwined as the days passed from September, through October and November, accelerating in anticipatory excitement day by day during Advent until Christmas Eve opens its window on that pivotal day not only of my individual existence, but of the history of the world itself, the manifestation of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ as true God and true man, come to save us all from our sins and open the gates of Heaven to all Mankind who had rejected His Love in the Garden of Eden in the persons of Adam and Eve.
Still, it has occurred to me recently that work doesn't really have to get in the way for us adults to enjoy the Straight Shot to Christmas. We don't need to regret the passing of childhood simplicity if our days are ordered properly. There's no reason we can't get down to our work each day without somehow clouding our soul's enjoyment of the coming of Christmas. Perhaps these words from Abbot John Chapman O.S.B. (1865-1933) will help us see why. It all comes down to performing our daily tasks, both personally and professionally, in the true spirit of that which we have all been taught by our holy Catholic faith:
For one thing, hello to a more "normal" pace at work. With summer vacations over, we're either in or just about to get into the thick of it. Depending on your sort of work, before you know it, that end of the year crunch will be here. For whatever the reason, everyone needs to put certain things to bed before the year ends. It could be that a sales target has to be met; or your plan for the New Year needs to be finalized; or you just want to be sure you've got everything covered before you take some down time off between Christmas and New Year's Day. No matter what business I've been in, there's always some sort of "crunch" as Christmas draws closer.
But, hey, we're not there yet. And this being merely the first "post-doldrums" day, let's revisit something we called The Straight Shot to Christmas a few years ago. It's something that's always stirred in my heart and soul as the summer draws to a close. And since it always gives me a lift as I tackle my work on the day after Labor Day, I thought I'd share it with you again. Maybe it will lift you up even as you get down to the daily grind.
The Straight Shot grew from those first first inklings of "Christmas is coming" that arise in the soul as the days grow noticeably shorter towards the end of August. Maybe you've had these feelings yourself. Since summer effectively ends with the Labor Day holiday weekend, thoughts and yearnings begin to turn to the (albeit now distant) coming of Christmas. So from the day after Labor Day until December 25th, we can't help but see, hear and feel the approach of that great holy season that starts with the spirit of preparation beginning the first Sunday of Advent and culminates with the wonder and joy of Our Lord's birth on Christmas Day, extending then through the Twelve Days of Christmas, and only really ending (for us hard core types) with the feast of the Presentation in the Temple on February 2nd. At least that's how I see it.
But a problem arises with each year's "Straight Shot to Christmas" as I return to work the day after Labor Day. The problem is work itself. My childlike heart nurtures an image of growing excitement inspired by the coming of Christmas. But my adult responsibilities of faithfully executing the duties of my job with diligence all too frequently seem to interfere with my enjoyment of the excitement of the days leading up to Christmas. This only increases as we draw closer to Christmas Day. Ah, if only I didn't have to spend so much time and energy at work! If only things could be like they once were when I was a child and all I had in this world was to think and dream of the sacred and secular more and more entwined as the days passed from September, through October and November, accelerating in anticipatory excitement day by day during Advent until Christmas Eve opens its window on that pivotal day not only of my individual existence, but of the history of the world itself, the manifestation of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ as true God and true man, come to save us all from our sins and open the gates of Heaven to all Mankind who had rejected His Love in the Garden of Eden in the persons of Adam and Eve.
Still, it has occurred to me recently that work doesn't really have to get in the way for us adults to enjoy the Straight Shot to Christmas. We don't need to regret the passing of childhood simplicity if our days are ordered properly. There's no reason we can't get down to our work each day without somehow clouding our soul's enjoyment of the coming of Christmas. Perhaps these words from Abbot John Chapman O.S.B. (1865-1933) will help us see why. It all comes down to performing our daily tasks, both personally and professionally, in the true spirit of that which we have all been taught by our holy Catholic faith:
“We have to learn in practice what we always knew in theory: everything that happens is God’s will. God’s will always intends our good. God’s will is carving us into the likeness of His Son. Every moment is the message of God’s will; every external event, everything outside us, and even every involuntary thought and feeling within us is God’s own touch. We are in living touch with God. Everything we come in contact with, the whole of our daily circumstances, and all our interior responses, whether pleasures or pains, are God’s working. We are living in God – in God’s action, as a fish in the water. There is no question of trying to feel that God is here, or to complain of God being far, once He has taught us that we are bathed in Him, in His action, in His will.”Yes, "bathed in Him, in His action, in His will" our thoughts, actions and even our feelings no longer need to interfere with the Straight Shot to Christmas. Abbot Chapman's words free us to go about our business and enjoy the coming of Christmas. Rejoice!
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