Thursday, December 18, 2025
Musings at St. Andrew’s
Rev. Wendy Paterson | Pastoral Care Coordinator
Hanging On! Hanging In! Hanging Out!
Sometimes our kids just say “Hang” as in 'Do you want to HANG for awhile this afternoon?' I think it means something like 'get together with no particular agenda or expectations'. It doesn't take any preparation and usually doesn't require a Save-the-date. Just hang, often an abbreviated form of 'hang out.'
'Hanging On' is very different. I think it means 'I am managing right now but I could use some help.'
'Hanging In' is different again. That's an expression that suggests that things aren't good but I'm hoping they will get better. 'The medication hasn't kicked in yet but I am hanging in'. The hope is that things will improve but maybe not right away. People who have experienced loss often go through a hanging in stage as the reality sets in.
Let's go back to hanging out, something we often hope will happen at Christmas with friends or family members. While it may seem to be spontaneous, it usually means we need to make time for it to happen and likely a phone call to set it up. What matters is that love will be shared and maybe stories, laughter and tears as well. The very fact that people are happy about being together says we care about each other.
Is it possible to hang out with God in the Christmas season? We don't need to set up a time as God is always available. We don't need to bring a gift as our presence is all that matters and we've already received God's greatest gift. We don't need an agenda or a specific request. We just need some time with the God who loves us and cares about us, to breathe in God's goodness and know we matter. We can show up for an hour or for five minutes, maybe several times a day. It's about mindfulness of the Holy One who is there when we are just barely hanging on or hanging in. It's about hanging out with God and experiencing grace in a life-giving way. It's worth the time!
Christmas blessings to all.
Wendy Paterson
Pastoral Care Coordinator