WALLACE SC&W Things to Remember for the End of December   Christmas is here and tonight there will be wonderful Christmas Eve Services with lots of beauty and touching experiences. You have been working toward this moment for a month and more and I want to briefly suggest a few things to consider.   Remember care for the pastor in the next week…that’s you.  You have been pushing and shaping and attending parties and \events for a month and that takes a toll. Yes there is great joy but don’t forget in the days ahead to care for the pastor (yourself).             Care for yourself physically: do something you enjoy to help stimulate the body (e.g. a walk) and to work out the kinks                  and the accumulated stresses of the month.              Care for yourself emotionally: do you feel the emotional drop after all the events are over and the pressure is done?                   Pastors need to remember that there is an emotional facet of what we experience.  So often we ignore it rather than                  face it by celebrating what we have done and taking a few moments to regroup.             Care for yourself psychologically/mentally: At times I have found it hard to look ahead for a week or so after Christmas                  because my brain was numb.  After working to plan so many special events and focusing on so many things for the                  month my mind needed to rest.  It wasn’t a long down time but just some time. How do you rest mentally; a movie,                  sitting in the park watching people, doing a puzzle.             Care for your family: this is the first year in my life of 48 years that I don’t have responsibility (or when I was growing                  up that my father didn’t have responsibility) for Christmas Events.  It has been a unique experience for me and for                  my family.  We have experiences Christmas differently than we have ever experienced it before.  Remember that                 your family is impacted by the ministry and they give up something in order for the church to have this celebration.                  Be sure to show appreciation and to recognize the gift that they are offering.  Watch for what they might be needing.   I pray for wonderful filling and joy for you tonight and as you celebrate what our Lord has done and is doing.   Steve Wallace                                                                                                                                                                 12/23/07