Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Are resolutions really the way to go?
For many people around the world, a few days ago they celebrated a tradition like no other. Boxing Day, a day where they box Christmas up and put it back in storage. For many other people, we leave it up for the next few weeks. Maybe a month and a half. For those rare people, they leave their lights up throughout the year and never turn them on.
Mostly celebrated by our neighbors across the pond and our other neighbors down under (England and Australia and other commonwealth nations), Boxing Day can be taken just as seriously as Christmas Day itself. As for me and my house, we lean more towards the wait-for-the-perfect-weekend philosophy. Which could even stretch out until almost February (Don’t judge lest ye be judged). To each their own on this one because many families have many different traditions.
If you’re unfamiliar with Boxing Day it’s literally what it sounds like -boxing up Christmas. All the decorations. All the lights. All the holiday is boxed and stored and life after Christmas continues as it did before. And this tradition really got me thinking about the next calendar holiday: New Year’s Day. The day so many people make resolutions.
By the way, how’s the last resolution you made? How long did it last? Whether it be last year or last decade, statistically it’s not going well. I think the reason for that is because we have the wrong idea or the wrong outlook on what a resolution really is. It’s not something you add. It’s something you remove.
You see, Our word resolution comes from a Latin word that actually means “looseness; a release.” In reality, resolutions aren’t about picking up new habits. Resolutions are about letting go of worthless ones. Unproductive ones. Unhealthy ones. Distracting ones. Unfulfilling ones. Unspiritual ones. Lazy ones.
So maybe, just maybe, you don’t need to add a new habit this year. Maybe you need to remove some old ones. I’m sure you’re like me and have a few that fit into the list above. If you don’t think you do, or you can only think of one or two, ask your closest confidant. I’m sure they have a list they’ve been collecting for some time.
As we approach the new year, are there some things you need to box up? But instead of putting them in storage somewhere to be taken out and used later, why don’t we drop them off the nearest cliff? Or box them up and toss them in the garbage truck as it drives by the house. Or box them up and send them down that cool chute that ends up on Mount Crumpet that the Grinch later picks through. Well… you get the point.
Or… keep them for next year. I’m sure you’ll eventually get around to putting them on your resolutions list. Ya know, the one that’s been going so well. Most of us have enough going on, so I’d advise to remove instead of add yet another thing should make us give a sigh of relief.
You don’t need to add more. You don’t need a resolution. At least by today’s terms. You need the old Latin version: a release. Maybe you need to release something. Maybe it’s more than something. Maybe it’s a whole lot of things. And if you ask, I know the Holy Spirit will let you know exactly what those things are.
This year, don’t add more. Box up more. Have some resolve and make the right kind of resolution: a release.
Are resolutions really the way to go?
For many people around the world, a few days ago they celebrated a tradition like no other. Boxing Day, a day where they box Christmas up and put it back in storage. For many other people, we leave it up for the next few weeks. Maybe a month and a half. For those rare people, they leave their lights up throughout the year and never turn them on.
Mostly celebrated by our neighbors across the pond and our other neighbors down under (England and Australia and other commonwealth nations), Boxing Day can be taken just as seriously as Christmas Day itself. As for me and my house, we lean more towards the wait-for-the-perfect-weekend philosophy. Which could even stretch out until almost February (Don’t judge lest ye be judged). To each their own on this one because many families have many different traditions.
If you’re unfamiliar with Boxing Day it’s literally what it sounds like -boxing up Christmas. All the decorations. All the lights. All the holiday is boxed and stored and life after Christmas continues as it did before. And this tradition really got me thinking about the next calendar holiday: New Year’s Day. The day so many people make resolutions.
By the way, how’s the last resolution you made? How long did it last? Whether it be last year or last decade, statistically it’s not going well. I think the reason for that is because we have the wrong idea or the wrong outlook on what a resolution really is. It’s not something you add. It’s something you remove.
You see, Our word resolution comes from a Latin word that actually means “looseness; a release.” In reality, resolutions aren’t about picking up new habits. Resolutions are about letting go of worthless ones. Unproductive ones. Unhealthy ones. Distracting ones. Unfulfilling ones. Unspiritual ones. Lazy ones.
So maybe, just maybe, you don’t need to add a new habit this year. Maybe you need to remove some old ones. I’m sure you’re like me and have a few that fit into the list above. If you don’t think you do, or you can only think of one or two, ask your closest confidant. I’m sure they have a list they’ve been collecting for some time.
As we approach the new year, are there some things you need to box up? But instead of putting them in storage somewhere to be taken out and used later, why don’t we drop them off the nearest cliff? Or box them up and toss them in the garbage truck as it drives by the house. Or box them up and send them down that cool chute that ends up on Mount Crumpet that the Grinch later picks through. Well… you get the point.
Or… keep them for next year. I’m sure you’ll eventually get around to putting them on your resolutions list. Ya know, the one that’s been going so well. Most of us have enough going on, so I’d advise to remove instead of add yet another thing should make us give a sigh of relief.
You don’t need to add more. You don’t need a resolution. At least by today’s terms. You need the old Latin version: a release. Maybe you need to release something. Maybe it’s more than something. Maybe it’s a whole lot of things. And if you ask, I know the Holy Spirit will let you know exactly what those things are.
This year, don’t add more. Box up more. Have some resolve and make the right kind of resolution: a release.
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2 Comments
This is a great outlook and challenge that can remove some of the pressure to perform in life as we get in the New Year. I love to "chase excellence" like one of my favorite podcasts, but you're right that moving toward the best version of us, who God made us to be, isn't about adding more. It is about taking away some of the old habits that hinder us. This is a great challenge... accepted. ;)
I think this is a wonderful way to look at the house cleaning i could do because at my age I'm finding out less is more maybe its not popular in this God forsaken world but God will have the last say and his opinion is the one I want so yes I am inspired to let somethings go this up and coming year .Thank you for this important word and don't judge please but my Christmas tree has been up and running since 2020. I was never one for conformity and I'm real impressed with the Walmart lights my we have come along way,have a blessed and focused New Year Sir.