I can't believe November is almost over. There are only 80 days until Spring Training. The time is flying. I am still eating Halloween candy, Turkey hash and putting away the Publix salt and pepper Pilgrim shakers and now it's time to decorate for Christmas. Are you kidding me?
I think the holidays which are intended to be time for family and love and laughter, becomes stressful and too busy for me. I have to consciously decide what I would like to do for them. I love Christmas cards. Let me rephrase that, I love getting Christmas cards so I send them so I keep getting them! I love the photos, the sparkly cards and even the perfect life illusion updates. You are caught up in a whole year in literally five lines. I like the tree but dread taking down the fifty boxes of impulse decoration spending I have. I always find a piece of the nativity gone. First the goat, then a wise man but so far Baby Jesus always stays with the set. I like shopping so I love to buy gifts. But I hate that gifts become more of the focus than they should.
I think this is the time in my life that I have the chance to re-examine how and why I do things. Do I really have to or want to send out 300 cards. Does every person I know need to receive a gift? Maybe instead of putting up lights we can pay to see them at Lake Lanier. When the holidays are over there is nothing to take down. Once we left our lights out an entire year. I'm sure the neighbors talked trash about us. We even entertained the idea of creating lights that change color based on every holiday. Pink,green and yellow for Easter, black and orange for Halloween, flashing red for Valentine's. Can you just see it? You watch some lady reading this will make millions on QVC.
The idea is to make things simple and authentic. What is your special way of celebrating? Christ came to bring joy and peace not anxiety and stress. My cousin makes lasagna the night before and then they eat and SHE gets to enjoy Christmas too. We cut the kids off at two gifts a piece a few need gifts and a stocking full of chapsticks, fake dog poop and books. My friend Shauna sends gifts to friends in the form of donations to charities. No stuff or wrapping paper needed.
My point is that I forget all the time that I have a choice in how I decide to celebrate. I can spend a million dollars on lights or light one candle on the dining room table. I can listen to Josh Groben or Alvin and the Chipmunks. Whatever causes me to be mindful that Jesus came and offered me hope and love and grace is how I should celebrate the holidays.
So have yourself a merry little Christmas Day.
