Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A newborn king to see, pa rum pum pum pum
You work so busily, pa rum pum pum pum
To-Do Lists aren't for kings, pa rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum

How to honor him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When I come?

Little baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I've work so hard for you, pa rum pum pum pum
I've forgot my gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
Church work makes me so busy, pa rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum

Shall I throw out my lists, pa rum pum pum pum
'Till there're none...

Advent begins this week, Sunday marking the first new Sunday of the Christian year, and I am captured in dozens of little lists. I've got youth activities planned, volunteer meetings scheduled, mail-outs to make, and a dramatic Hanging of the Green service which looms over this week (I've still got to learn my lines! ... I've got to check if that girl can play Angel 1! ... Will everyone be able to make it to our one rehearsal?! ... Will everyone know their lines?!).

During this season of the year, stress can consume us before we even have a chance to remind ourselves (or be reminded) of the focus of season. Christ is coming! Christ is born! We begin the year again anew, and the mystery of the Incarnation is what must captivate us, not the hectic schedules and flurry of programs and events. But how do I practice such reflection while I sit here at my desk, surrounded by an army of to-do lists and little reminder Post-Its, besieged by calendars and staff meeting notes?

I suppose blogging is a bit of a release, and in these brief moments of typing I am able to reflect on this power struggle of the mind and heart. On one side, the requirements of a community plunging into the busiest time of year for services and events. On the other side, a tiny, shivering baby lain in a feeding trough in the darkness of a cramped barn.

Which will prevail? I sit at my desk, wondering and waiting with baited breath.