Slowing down

It's only December 5th and I feel so behind on Christmas! I'm not sure if it's that I am or that the Christmas season starts earlier and earlier every year. We still don't have our tree, (which is rare for us), our house is decorated inside but not outside, no presents are wrapped and there are still several to buy, our Christmas cards are not sent, and Hector still has some traveling to do. But, it's only the 5th...I still have plenty of time right? I guess I just feel so behind since so many people trashed their pumpkins and scarecrows for red and white lights, wreaths and blow-up snowmen the day after Thanksgiving. Not to mention Christmas trees have been for sale for weeks. Well, in the rush to get things done, I am realizing part of the joy of the season is in the preparation. If we take time to slow down and enjoy putting up lights, decorating the tree and shopping for gifts, it sure makes Christmas last longer. And that seems to be what everyone is going for these days. If we rush through the preparation, we get to Christmas day and it's all over so fast.

This has also made me think about why we struggle so much to focus on the Lord during this season. We are so bogged down by the list of tangible things to be done that we don't slow down until we have checked them all off, and often that isn't until Christmas day. This leaves us one day to take a breath and try to shift our focus from the gifts and the planning to Christ. (And often, Christmas day is packed with family gatherings and cooking that we find ourselves at the end of the day trying to savor the last few hours of Christmas.) I guess the challenge to myself this year is to find time each day to refocus my heart on the Lord and His birth; to slow down in my attempt to get everything done that's expected of me and savor the sweet moments of this Christmas. IE: my little boy's first time to really experience Christmas and his fascination with "nomain" (snowman) and "tees" (Christmas trees).

I want Cohen to grow up loving Christmas like I always have, but I struggle with how we will keep Jesus at the center. Christmas has changed so much since the first celebration of Jesus' birth that I just don't know how you get back to the heart of the reason we celebrate. We talk about the "spirit of Christmas." But, what does our world know of that? We have taken Christmas from the humble manger and turned it into a "warm & cozy" celebration for ourselves filled with lots of food, presents and lights. How disappointing this must be to the Lord. Giving is en vogue during December, but didn't Jesus teach that we should always put others before ourselves and give generously all year long? So, how do I explain to C one day the"giving spirit" of December in a nation and culture that has rejected God? The incredible gift God gave us in Jesus coming as a baby is that He was called "Immanuel, God with us." He walked this earth, lived life, and was "tempted in every way, just as we are." (Heb. 4:15) And then he chose to give His life as a pure, acceptable sacrifice for our sins so we might have the opportunity to have a relationship with Him. What a magnificent plan! I pray C grows up knowing that truth and the magnitude of the manger! I pray we find ways to point him to Christ during Christmas instead of getting caught up in the "stuff" of the season. I welcome anyone's ideas on how to reconcile this because it sure seems overwhelming and sometimes impossible. This year, I'm slowing down and trying to let myself enjoy all the events that lead up to Christmas day. I'm looking for opportunities to love on people and remain in an attitude of thanksgiving for the gift God gave us in a tiny baby boy so many year ago. Thanks for bearing with my conflicting thoughts! I pray you and your family find a new way to refocus your hearts this year!