We're all guilty of it

It's the same for me every year. I hem and haw and putz along. I get the gifts at the last minute. I stress out over all that I have to do. And I complain. I say it doesn't feel like Christmas. I think to myself, why does the week leading to Christmas never look like the movie ones? I fight with my sisters or throw mini adult temper tantrums. Why? Because I'm not really focused on what it means. It doesn't mean having the perfect gift for each person, or having everything wrapped pinterest-ly perfect. It doesn't mean spending every spare moment with those who matter most. What matters is embracing the miracle. The miracle of a virgin birth, of a savior. The miracle of unity and coming together. We overlook all this in our desire to DO everything we think everyone expects.

AND THEN, it's here. The family gathers around the tree, or table, or fire. The lights wink like a constellation from under the crystal white snow. The hot chocolate mix is heated up and your cant get enough of the chocolate goodness. It's then we know, and we finally stop trying to DO and just BE. But why wait till then? Why not stop doing and pushing ourselves and just embrace each broken bulb or pine needle mess. Because the things that stress us out are part of what makes the holidays the holidays! So next year when your cookie mix is lacking flour, or a whole strand of lights on the top of your house go out, LAUGH. Take a deep breath. Just BE still and enjoy all these things that let you know it's that time of year again.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS READER!