Most years I feel under-whelmed at this point in the holiday calendar; I love to start the holiday craziness a little later than what is now popular. Around December 12th I decorate the house and do the bulk of my Christmas shopping. I begin to listen to Christmas music in earnest around that time, and attempt to make cookies, too. I basically self-immerse in it all.
And if it snows? Forget it - I'll be the first one to make a snow angel in the yard.
This year, I'm feeling that beloved holiday spirit early. I am excited for the Masses at church and the Christmas carols to come. I have also decided to do the following to usher in my interior celebration:
1. Although news-watching is a part of my job, I will limit the amount of time I watch bad news on television. The world is crazy, and we'd better get used to it. Seek out the good.
2. I will go to Adoration once a week - this quiet chapel time where your thoughts expand in the silence and yet are more focused, too.
3. I will pick a way our family can give that is meaningful - and as Mom, drag them to do it. That's the American way.
4. When my boys were little, I used to make tea and sit in front of our creche at night after they were tucked in, contemplating, imagining, and generally being blissed-out on a fact that my human brain can't even begin to totally take in - a loving God sent a Son He so loved into this poor world, and that Son for a time walked the earth among us.
I will try to have a few of those quiet times alone in the dining room again this year.
I would like to thank the Simons, the Lewises, and Pam Koner of Family to Family for helping me remember what is important; it was an honor to write their story. Check it out, below:
http://www.lifezette.com/momzette/from-one-family-to-another/
I hope you, too,find your way to a meaningful, super-connected Christmas or Hannukah celebration. I hope you have those moments of seeing how loved you, in your imperfection and striving, really are.
And I hope the shivery light-bulb moments of true understanding come to you as we ready our homes for this most joyous of times.
T hank you for reading. :-) God bless!
