My mom always made Christmas special and there were years that I know how hard it was. Growing up my dad was in the Navy and missed several Christmas celebrations. One year my grandmother died 8 weeks before Christmas during one of those times when my dad was gone - yet even that year or perhaps especially because of that year - my mom worked herself silly to make it a joyful time. She often stayed up all hours of the night the week leading up to Christmas morning. She would be so tired that she often said she didn't remember much of Christmas morning.
It is something that has stuck with me over the years. Now with two kids who are SO VERY EXCITED about Christmas I don't want to miss a moment. It helps that in our house Christmas is not just one day. We follow the teachings of the church and celebrate for 12 full days - December 25 through January 5. We open presents every day - spreading them out. It also means that we don't have this deadline looming over us in a way that could cause us to go crazy and miss the joy of the season. Especially since my husband Josh and I are both pastors with Christmas Eve responsibilities.
Celebrating for 12 days has been wonderful. It allows us as a family to truly enjoy each gift that we receive. There is no great Christmas let down or depression on December 26th when all the anticipation is over and there is nothing left to do but be sad that it's all over. It is my prayer that this Christmas we might leave a little of the crazy behind so we might come to truly experience the joy of the season. Let us bask in the light and know that because of God's gift to us we may experience true joy and peace. Let us work to enlighten the nations so that we might come to experience God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Advent & New Life Part 2
Careful what you write. In my last post, yes 5 months ago I talked about new life. It started with a conversation about when Josh & I were gonna have baby #3. We said he had no plans at that time but that we had not ruled it out. Well, I can announce that Josh and I are expecting baby #3 sometime between June 4 & July 4. I know, most people have due dates, not due months but well, I'm not normal. My 2 oldest children were both born about a month early.
I shared in my last post that with Ellie, my daughter I spent time in the hospital and did not have a good pregnancy. I'm nearly 12 weeks along and it's been okay. If this baby is like my other two, I'm 1/3 of the way through the pregnancy and am looking forward to some of the good things - feeling the baby move and looking more pregnant to match how I've been feeling. This baby has helped me realize that I can only do what I can do. For the first time in my life I've been good at saying no - letting myself rest - and only doing what I need to. Now, some of you might find this hard to believe and I think my husband might still say that I pushing myself too much. I can however say take a look around the house - it's not decorated for Christmas - lights are not up outside. There are no presents wrapped and under the tree. I feel bad about this and my usual next move would be to stay up at all hours doing all those things. Josh keeps reminding me that's what Advent is for and it's not over yet. My kids also keep reminding me that Christmas is 12 days long - which is VERY LONG according to Ben. I've got time. We've got time but so many of us are desperate to finish our to do lists before December 24th.
With the strong winter storm bearing down on the northeast of the country on what is often thought of as the busiest weekend of the year, many people will have no choice but to sit back and rest. A pastor friend posted as her status on Facebook "loves that the snow came down on the busiest weekend of the Christmas season. It makes all of us slow down and enjoy time at home." Remember to take some time and rest as a part of preparation - without that rest new life is not possible and that is what Christmas is about. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
I shared in my last post that with Ellie, my daughter I spent time in the hospital and did not have a good pregnancy. I'm nearly 12 weeks along and it's been okay. If this baby is like my other two, I'm 1/3 of the way through the pregnancy and am looking forward to some of the good things - feeling the baby move and looking more pregnant to match how I've been feeling. This baby has helped me realize that I can only do what I can do. For the first time in my life I've been good at saying no - letting myself rest - and only doing what I need to. Now, some of you might find this hard to believe and I think my husband might still say that I pushing myself too much. I can however say take a look around the house - it's not decorated for Christmas - lights are not up outside. There are no presents wrapped and under the tree. I feel bad about this and my usual next move would be to stay up at all hours doing all those things. Josh keeps reminding me that's what Advent is for and it's not over yet. My kids also keep reminding me that Christmas is 12 days long - which is VERY LONG according to Ben. I've got time. We've got time but so many of us are desperate to finish our to do lists before December 24th.
With the strong winter storm bearing down on the northeast of the country on what is often thought of as the busiest weekend of the year, many people will have no choice but to sit back and rest. A pastor friend posted as her status on Facebook "loves that the snow came down on the busiest weekend of the Christmas season. It makes all of us slow down and enjoy time at home." Remember to take some time and rest as a part of preparation - without that rest new life is not possible and that is what Christmas is about. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
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