Filling up the Schedule

Well it has started. Having to consult my calendar to make sure that Christmas festivities do not interfere with the host of other activities we have going on. We have barely begun the November twenties. By this time next week I'm certain we will be having to juggle. And these are all the ones we consider really important, like our son's Christmas pageant, my husband's work party, my husband's party for the kids, get-togethers with close friends & family, etc. Usually by now I have a semi-permanent crick in my neck from the coat of stress that slips on mid November, becomes a parka by mid-December and slowly morphs into a light sweater until mid January. There are those three distinct stages, getting ready for Christmas, "doing" Christmas and cleaning up after Christmas.

This year feels different. I am looking forward to all the things we are doing, and instead of stress I feel serene that it will all work out somehow. I will take some time to be alone, to be with my husband alone, and spend some one-on-one time with each child. We will slow down and not race from one thing to another. We will not throw gobs of money away trying to keep up with everybody else. We will gladly spend our money on gifts that matter, and will anticipate them being opened.

Here's a toast to Christmas Cheer and Spirit. Close your eyes right now, pray to God that you will remember to include Him in your day to day life and not just Christmas Eve / morning when you go to church. He will keep that reassuring hand on your shoulder and whisper "It's okay". Don't be too preoccupied to let Him in when he knocks.