Don’t Let Your Christmas Flip Be a Flop.
My friend Wes Gardner recently tipped me off to a great article by The Points Guy: “Up all night: How Disney transforms the Magic Kingdom from Halloween to holiday overnight.”
I’ve long been fascinated by Disney’s ability to flip an entire park from one season to another in eight short hours. The year-long planning and logistics and ballet of details is nothing short of astounding. (Seriously, read that entire article. It’s crazy.)
And while none of us have the footprint and crew and budget – and especially the purpose – of Disney, the article begs the question: what are we doing to make this Advent season special? Whether it’s decorations in the lobby or kicking off our first December service with Joy to the World, there is something about special decorations and planned moments that can lead to a sacred encounter. The shift in environments often triggers people to think more deeply about the wonder of the incarnation, the beauty of the baby in a manger, and the necessity of really slowing down to savor the arrival of the savior of the world.
Even personally, there’s something about my quiet times in December when the tree lights come up, the fireplace kicks on, and I can sit in the quiet of a dark morning, reflecting on God becoming man to dwell among us. Those environmentally-different scripture reading and prayer times during those short few weeks have become one of my favorite personal “liturgies” that I look forward to every year.
In our context, our campus teams will be taking a morning next week to flip our permanent spaces, decking the halls for December and preparing to welcome our guests on the first official Sunday of the Christmas season.
So sure, let’s give Tom Turkey his due, and let’s give plenty of space for gratitude this weekend. But next week, take some time to think about the Christmas flip: what will you do to make this season special?
