But what I learned this year was…it’s ok. It's ok that everything wasn't perfect...what is perfect anyway?
We decorated the house right after Thanksgiving, and aside
from adding a couple of lighted greens on the mantle that we don’t have (I
substituted a couple of shelves) we really didn’t so anything different than in
past years.
And it’s ok. We’ve still enjoyed
the lights and the sparkle. I love the
sparkle.
I had planned to make dozens of cookies as I’d done in the
past. Only I managed to make two small batches
right before Christmas and one the day after.
It’s ok. We’ve had just enough
for us to get the taste and not so much that we will be tossing it in the
garbage come Jan. 1.
I usually send out dozens of Christmas cards / photos. None this year. We did take a photo on the 23rd,
but I have yet to even get it from the camera to the computer.
It’s ok. Maybe I’ll send of New
Year’s Cards. Maybe I won’t. Think anyone will really notice anyway?
The shopping was no fun at all. I usually enjoy finding the perfect few gifts
and some stocking stuff. But this year,
we decided to change up the way in which we give the gifts and I think it
overwhelmed me. That, and the
wrapping… In the past I’ve always had
the cutest ribbons and bows on perfectly wrapped boxes of all shapes and
sizes. And my goal is to have them done
several days before Christmas.
This year, I was thankful to get the items in boxes, covered
in paper and tagged. We ran out of both
bows and tags, so that only added to the excitement…
But it’s ok. The gifts were
beautiful under the tree for a few hours, and each child received gifts that
surprised and delighted them!
We had an exceptionally quiet season here this year, which
in retrospect was a God-send. John’s
knee has been so painful that travelling a whole lot would have been
tough. So we were home. And honestly, I had moments were I felt a
little lonely. A little left out
maybe. I knew friends and families who were
gathering together and it just got to me a little.
But it’s ok. These are people I
cherish and love to spend time with thoughout the year, not only during the
week of Christmas. And I’ve made a bit
of a commitment to myself to do just that – spend more time with them during
the year.
My list could go on…the knee injury that spanned the whole
month of December before treatment began; the virus that knocked me out for
five days; etc.
But I guess my question is this -
Why do we put so much pressure on one day - when we are
called to celebrate Him and His Presence every day – 365 days a year?
I’ve had some time to reflect and ponder how we might
celebrate Christmas next year. I
want our focus to return to CHRIST the way it should and these other
things to be less and less important.
Don’t get me wrong, I still want to celebrate, but years like this make
me long for the times when we had little, little ones, just a few decorations,
no money and the kids almost enjoyed the box more than the gift itself. Can I get an Amen?
It’s ok. Christmas comes around the same time every
year, and next year we will celebrate differently, with a clearer focus.
