Christmas Devotional 15: A New Normal for Christmas

Matthew 2:10-11; Ephesians 2:10

Has anyone told you that with cancer, you have to find your new normal? This seems to me to be a kind way of saying, “You know that thing you used to do and now you can’t do, or if you are still doing it, you used to do faster, easier or better? Well, you many never do those things like you used to do them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fulfilling life. So, look for your new normal.”

One reaction to this could be, “That’s a relief. Cancer has made things different, but everything will be all right. I can deal with that.” Another reaction might be, “I don’t want a new normal, I want my old normal back.” I can easily understand both reactions. It’s hard to know how cancer will change your life or how people will react to the changes.

Perhaps you had talents or gifts before your diagnosis that are difficult for you to do now. Maybe these have to do with your job or livelihood, or how you typically spend time with your family and friends. If you do not have these gifts any more, what gifts will you have to give others? Most of us prefer giving to others rather than always being in a position of receiving.

Of course, in the Christmas story, it’s the wise men that were the big givers of gifts.

10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11

What were the three gifts the wise men brought? vs 11 ___________________________________________ ______________________ _________________________________________________________________

Who did they give the gifts to?

Mary

Baby Jesus

Each other

Often, we find ourselves at Christmas giving gifts to the Christ Child through caring for the people around us. Perhaps this Christmas, cancer is getting in the way of your gift giving. Maybe this year you will not be giving the gift of hospitality by hosting Christmas dinner, or the gift of service by helping to decorate the church. It could be that finance concerns leave you unable to purchase gifts for loved ones as you have in the past. Or maybe your role has changed in the family, so being the handy man or the master cook is out of the question.

This year, you might have new gifts to give.

“What? Are you nuts? First, I’m dealing with cancer. Second, I’m in no place to learn anything new right now.”

Check out this verse:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

What are we? ____________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

What have we been created to do? __________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

Who prepared in advance for us to do these things? __________________ _________________________________________________________________

Does the verse say, “God prepared in advance for you to do these things… unless you get cancer?” Yes No

So we know we are created to do good works, and we know God has prepared these things in advance for us to do. If you think about it, you also know that cancer is certainly not going to get in the way of what God has prepared.

Let’s look at what gifts you have or you might develop this Christmas. Circle the ones you believe you are good at, and place an X next to the gifts you want to develop.

___Guidance

___Humor

___Presence

___Joy

___Touch

___Companionship

___Delegation

___Receiving

___Kindness

___Encouragement

___Prayer for others

Other: __________________________________________________________

Although you may be good at many of these gifts, they still are not what you were planning to give this Christmas. In addition, over the years your loved ones have come to expect a different type of gifts from you that require a level of activity or expense that may not be realistic this year. That’s OK. They too will come to understand the new normal. And look at that list of gifts again. Who would not want such gifts?

Perhaps you are the one not ready for such a change, not ready for a new normal. But you know what? You have found new normals before.

Think about the changes between middle school and high school, single life and married life, or no kids to parent or unemployed to employed or working to retired- and the list goes on! God has helped you find new normals throughout your life.

God is not surprised that you are dealing with cancer this Christmas, and cancer has not deterred Him from preparing in advance the good works you are to do. They just may not be the good works that you were planning. Open yourself up to hearing all the ways God has for you to give to others this Christmas and beyond. This new normal gift giving might turn out to be the best yet.

Jesus, You hold me and all that I know in your loving hands. You have laid out ways for me to give to others and cancer will certainly not get in the way of your plans. Open my heart so I may see the words that need to be spoken, the kindness shared or the action initiated to give a gift to another. I am yours in all things. In Your name I pray, AMEN