a fresh new year

Hey,
It struck me forcefully this year that i (and maybe you too?) spend SOOOO much time preparing for Christmas...and it comes and goes in a flash...a flash in the pan, perhpas? Disproportionate preparations? Undue worry? Or preparations fuelled by love? yet i wonder how much of my preparations were fuelled by fear! Fear of forgetting someone i love, forgetting people's preferences/dislikes, forgetting a wish list item due to my aging brain's reduced retention? ack! I'm beginning to understand why people go on vacation in December. Just hop on a plane and escape the insanity!
It sure didn't start this way? when did i sign up for the spastic, scurrying insanity of this mutated Christmas stuff??!!
I'm starting to think it hits me via the media, how we talk/groan about Christmas with each other, marketers convincing us there's nothing wrong with Christmas trees and decorations in stores on October 25th already. ACK!! And yet, a simple child- carrying GOd's very essence to this earth started this season- the giving, the acts of love - all meant to reflect His act of love in sending Christ.
I've resolved to hold off Christmas shopping until December 1st. It's a start...containing it in the one month's time. Will it help? i'll keep ya posted..not sure. But at least that way, i will be able to celebrate First Advent (4 Sundays before Christmas) with a clear mind. i hope. Begin my inner preparations without the outer ones jumping like Mexican jumping beans in my head. well, that's the idea. we'll see....
Pushing back. i guess that's what i'm after. Can i be kinder to my fellowman/woman by speaking in excited, but hushed, tones about Christmas? At least, not perpetuate the 'angst' about it all? that's my heartfelt wish, anyway.
That aside, we had a lovely Christmas - all kids were home to bless us and to share time together. A boyfriend also - lovely chap! Can see the choices they're making getting more solidly considered and thought-through. Our son got engaged. (that's a warp-drive moment!) And the subtle, but not entirely ignorable sense that we are lurching into another 'era'. No longer the newlyweds ourselves. No longer young, clueless parents grasping for proverbial air to get through a day. More settled. content, i hazard to say. Accepting of ourselves and each other, happy to walk hand in hand, although more quietly, into the sunset years. Smiling as our kids build relationships, homes, families and all. We get to retreat to the quiet of our familiar life together - but soaking up the excitement of their lives just the same. Oh maybe i'm just nostalgic right now...but that's ok. It's been a really great ride so far. So very many blessings!! And we'll keep watching God's hand at work in our lives and the lives of others. it's breathtaking when you stop to consider it.
looks like we just did.
Reach out this year and love someone who's forgotten. I promise it will bring you joy and a fresh outlook for 2011.
Blessings my friends!