Last year Apple Music launched a new feature for their subscribers allowing them to learn of top songs, artists, albums, and genres that defined their listening experience.
They called is Replay.
This year I participated in my Replay experience and was delighted to discover:
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I’ve listened to 23,000 minutes of music.
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Out of 498 artists, there was one artist I listened to more than any other.
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Of the 1,952 songs that were played, one song was my anthem.
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From 32 of my top albums, one album stayed in constant rotation.
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And out of dozens of genres of music explored, there was one genre I returned to over and over again.
Admittedly, one could think of this feature as a stalker-like invasion— 😆 —but there’s also something inspiring about it, something that feels important, and something that resonates with beautiful reverberations of mindfulness, reflection, and appreciation.
In fact, when my Replay finished, I noticed how grateful I felt for such a meaningful and introspective take on my musical listening habits.
Since then, I’ve noticed recaps popping up all over the place:
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Spotify’s Wrapped.
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Facebook’s Year in Review.
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TikTok’s Year on TikTok.
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Google’s Top Trending Searches.
This trend tugs on our human heartstrings and speaks to our need for belonging and connection. But deeper still, I believe it resonates so meaningfully because looking back on where we’ve been helps us look forward with a renewed sense of anticipation and purpose.
Reflection spurs anticipation.
Which gets me thinking …
Imagine if we approached our lived Christmas experience this way?
Rather than being solely caught up with the dos and tasks of the season, what if, instead, we carved out time to sit with our own version of replays, recaps, and reviews?
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I’ve experienced 23,000 minutes of laughter.
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Out of 498 Christmas traditions, there is one tradition that means more than any other.
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Of the 1,952 Christmas dinners I’ve consumed, one dish is my anthem.
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From 32 of my top Christmas ornaments, one ornament stays in constant rotation.
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And out of dozens of friends and family with whom I’ve shared Christmases with, there is one place my heart returns to over and over again.
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As we continue exploring the soul work of anticipation this month, and as you take time this week to sit with the prompts in today’s intermission, may I invite you to participate in your own Replay experience?
Listed below in Pause for Examination is a reflective exercise inviting you to pay attention to your Christmas history. But may I also encourage you to pray and invite God’s presence to awaken in you a delight to discover what it is that inspires you, what feels most important to you, and what aspects of this time of year resonate with such beautiful and meaningful reverberations.
As you explore this soul work, may reflection be what spurs your Christmas season with a renewed sense of anticipation and purpose.
—With Joy
Pause for Thought
“As you called your disciples to come away with you, retreating from the crush of crowds, pausing in their long work, simply to rest, to reflect, to enjoy your company, your words, your conversation, to enjoy their fellowship with one another, so help us also, in this time of our vacation, to carve out spaces merely to be, to be with you, to be together, to be refreshed.”
Source: Every Moment Holy, Volume 1, by Douglas Kaine McKelvey, A Liturgy for Leaving on Holiday (adapted for brevity), p.70-72.
Pause for Practice
The following exercise is a seasonal prayer practice meant to infuse the spirit of the season with inspired reflection.
Carve out 30 minutes (or however much you can allot) and take a walk around your neighbourhood. As you mindfully pay attention to the various houses decorated for the season, use each decorated home as a visual prompt inviting you to pray about one aspect of the Replay you’re invited to participate in through the Pause for Examination section below.
For example, as you approach a decorated home, pray the following: God, I ask you to draw my awareness to the meaningful moments I’ve experienced at Christmastime over the years. How many have there been? Bring these memories to my attention now. [Pause]. [Reflect].
Or, O Presence Who is with me, direct my Christmas reflections toward one person who has taught me the most about the spirit of Christmas. [Pause]. [Reflect]. Etc.
Carry on with this pattern however you feel prompted to pray.
Pause for Examination
Take time to sit with the following questions, and allow your answers of recollection to delight you with mindful, reflective, and appreciative discovery for the meaningful and memorable moments that have transpired for you over your years of Christmases.
May this reflection spur your anticipation for this year’s Christmas season.
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I’ve experienced _________ minutes of _________________.
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I’ve shared _________ moments of _________________.
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I’ve lived _________ years of Christmases.
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Out of ________ Christmas traditions in my family’s history, there is one tradition that means more than any other: ____________________.
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The one person who taught me most about the spirit of Christmas was _____________.
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Of the _____ Christmas dinners I’ve consumed, one dish is my anthem: _____________.
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From the hundreds of Christmas songs that are played over the holidays, my favorite song is __________________.
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Of all the decorations at this time of year, my favorite is _____________.
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Out of dozens of friends and family with whom I’ve shared Christmases with, there is one place my heart returns to over and over again: _________________________________.
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When people think of me at this time of year, I want them to remember me for _____________________________________________________.
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If you could change one thing about Christmas, what would it be? _______________________________________________. What’s stopping you from making that change this year? ______________ _______________________________________________________.
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When you picture an image of Christmas in your mind, what image comes to mind? ___________________________________.
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- Click here for previous month’s art offerings
P.S. Whatever this season looks like for you, take cue from this little guy, and give it everything you’ve got. 😉
