Why is it I can't wait to see this on Monday. I enjoyed the holidays this year, but I admit, I am ready for them to be over. Oh how I wish I didn't feel this way. I remember being so heartbroken as a child when Christmas decorations would be packed away until next year. Right now I am tired of looking at them.
I wish all the presents and commercialism and busyness of Christmas would just go away. Ha! That sounds great in theory, but I play into it as much as anybody. I wouldn't mind just a simple Christmas with minimal gifts and a lot more service. How does one accomplish this? How do you get away from the mad rush, endless shopping, and everything else that pulls at your time and detracts from the real meaning of the season?
Wouldn't it be great to pack up the family and head to a third world country for Christmas. I would love for my children to fully realize how good they have it. How blessed they are, and how little they really need, and how much they could do for others.
Oh hum. I will try harder next year to slow it down, have quiet Christmas moments, teach my children about our Savior and why we are celebrating. I will try to tone down the gifts and still not disappoint the teenagers (that is quite a feat). It has to be possible right?
I truly love the Christmas season. I love the Christmas story. I am grateful and forever indebted to my Savior, Jesus Christ. This needs to be my focus, my center, and my strength in the seasons to come. The Christmas Spirit was here this year, I just forgot to slow down and look for it and take time to let it sink deeper into my heart.
You know, just recognizing it at this moment, suddenly makes me feel better and know that I will have many bright and special Christmases in my future.
Merry Christmas, and a happy Christ centered New Year!
