Tag Archives: Jesus

Christmas Choir Practice

True Christmas Spirit

It is now less than a week before Christmas, and up til last night I had NO Christmas spirit – none 🙁
For those of you who know me, you know I love – love – love, Christmas ! For me, the weeks before Christmas bring back so many good memories. I love reminiscing on many memories of my childhood and memories of when my kids were young. Carrying on family traditions like baking cookies from my Grandma’s handwritten recipe cards ~ watching White Christmas while eating warm from the oven cookies with egg nog ~ going to the midnight candlelit church service on Christmas Eve.

I’ve always been good about balancing the “traditions” of the season with the “reason” for the season. This year, I was “out of balance”. I was putting too much emphasis on all the “commercial” aspect of Christmas, not on the birth of Jesus. Last night, I was being grumpy about having to go to choir practice when I still had so much to do. I am so glad I went – the lyrics of the songs really touched my heart and hit home. It’s not about presents and parties and cookies. Those things are nice, but they are not the “be all, end all” I seemed to be making them this year.

I woke up this morning with a renewed Christmas spirit ~ ready to finish up my to-do list and celebrate … I love it when life feels well balanced.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Jesus is the reason Ornaments

Christmas Busyness VS. the Reason for the Season

Christmas is upon us ! For the life of me, I don’t understand how time flies by so quickly. We all lead very busy lives. Sometimes I wonder why we over commit ourselves, after all, many times, we decide what goes on our schedule. I think in part, as a woman (and a perfectionist), I’m expected to do it all … a.k.a. SuperMom. The Holidays seem to add even more commitments to our already busy days.

I love lists, as you probably know, they help me stay organized. During the year, I have many various kinds of lists … personal, household and business to-do lists. Some lists are seasonal, gardening – camping – raking – and, of course, Christmas. My Holiday to-do list is always long.

I always want the Currier and Ives feeling for my home. You know, where the loving family is gathered around a beautifully decorated tree sitting in front of a warm, cozy fire in the hearth. The well-behaved children are eating warm from the oven cookies while listening to Dad read the Christmas story, patiently waiting to open the perfectly wrapped gifts under the tree. In my dreams …

It’s totally unrealistic, I know, but in my perfectionist mind, I disappoint myself by not getting it all done. Will the world end if I don’t bake 10 varieties of cookies or the gifts don’t have matching bows?? Of course not … I know I make my own busyness (I write the lists), but I truly want to be able to slow down and enjoy the Holidays. I need to learn how to simplify my preparations. I want to concentrate on what this holiday is all about … not all the commercialism and Santa Claus.

Jesus is the reason for the season. Christmas is about the gift of love, not things. It’s about spending time with family … and if you know of someone who doesn’t have family near, adopt them into your family 🙂 It’s about celebrating traditions and reminiscing with loved ones and friends. It’s about making new memories. It’s about being grateful for all you’ve been blessed with. It’s a time for blessing others. It’s about enjoying the simple things …                                

I want to wish you and yours a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!