Life Does Not Stop For Christmas...but we'd better

It's true it's a busy time of year, and nerves tend to get stretched, along with the budgets. I keep saying, "Life does not stop for Christmas", and it is so true. You have more baking, more spending, more events to attend, and more more more, but you still have laundry, dishes, appointments, children, bills, etc... Life does not politely get out of the way so you can celebrate. But isn't that sad?

Shouldn't our hearts be in better shape than this? I know I have not had the greatest Christmas spirit lately. I am no busier than anyone else, it's just that healthwise, I just don't stretch that well. I get overwhelmed to the point of not really being present. I don't know if that describes you at all, but if it does, you're not alone.

I have enjoyed all the things we've done lately, like the trip to Frankenmuth with my parents. The Christmas concert at Warriner, the Bethlehem walk at our church, the party with our friends, and the many more things to come. Really, I have enjoyed them, it's just that it has crowded my spirit. Do you feel this way too? Crowded? Like, where is Jesus in all of this? That's the way I feel. I need some time to be alone with God and thank him for being the Giver and the Gift. It's time to put away everything else and focus on Him. Or why do all of this at all?

That's my old sled from childhood. I took our annual Christmas card photos yesterday, and the sled was a great prop! The girls were in great spirits, being silly as usual. They are so much fun at Christmas time. I took several pictures and it was so much fun. This has become quite a tradition. At the concert Tuesday night, an old photo of my girls flashed on the big screen during a song called "Christmas through the eyes of a child". I saw Serena at 4 years old, with her head on her sister's shoulder, and I sat there and blubbered. Yes, this is what the Christmas season does to me. No sleep. Stress. Crying at the silliest things. So embarassing. Anyway.......

Oh, and if I hear one more person tell me my "kids are looking so grown up", or "wow. They are getting so big!" or "what are they--15 now?" If I hear one more reference to how fast my girls are growing up, I will either scream or have a nervous breakdown. SO PLEASE, to spare my heart from further ripping, do not tell me how old my little girls look. I just can't take it anymore!

I hope that you will take some time and enjoy this season and what it means to you. I hope you will get the kids together watch Rudolph or Charlie Brown with them. (2 of our faves). I hope you will stop baking long enough to call a long lost friend and say Merry Christmas. I hope you truly feel the spirit of Christmas in all that you do this season. I hope it is all you dreamed of and more, and I hope you stay healthy through it all.

God bless you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!