I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your families and friends this year. Whether you're travelling or staying home, enjoy your time off! I will be back with you after the new year with all kinds of new and exciting writing!
I'm hoping to get to spend some time on the cruise ship writing, and I plan on having plenty of time to let things "cook" in my head!
God Bless you and yours!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Christmas??
It's that crazy time of year again - stores are hectic, parking's a nightmare, people are cranky, and there's never enough time to get everything done. Merry Christmas everyone, welcome to the season of crazy! Some of us are getting ready to travel for the holiday while others are preparing things at home and planning family dinner. I find that I've really lost the magic and joy of Christmas this year. Do you find this happening at your house? What sorts of things do you do to keep yourself centered and sane during the holidays? Here are some ideas I am going to try:
- Stop and enjoy the magic with your kids. Does your town do a Christmas light display or does your church put on a Christmas Eve play? Go to them with your kids and enjoy seeing them through young eyes. We have a local train display that the girls really enjoy visiting every year, followed by a drive through town to see the lights. Even though the lights are the same every year the girls enjoy seeing where different displays are set up - it's like visiting old friends every year! My goal this year is to share the magic with them and step outside of my "mommy shoes" for a little bit. Usually during these trips I'm worried about getting us there, keeping track of everyone's stuff while we're at the train display, etc., etc., etc. This year I want to let that go a bit and just have fun.
- Take the stress out of your preparation. I have a lot of packing to do before we leave on the 20th of December... A LOT of packing! But I'm trying not to worry about it and stress over it. It will get done in time or we will stop at a WalMart on the way and pick up what we forgot. Do you have family coming to stay with you during the holiday? Try to make sure you take time while they're with you to relax and enjoy their company. Don't let your hostess duties rob you of the special time you have to share with your family. It's perfectly fine if breakfast on Christmas morning is bakery pastries or a box of donuts if it means you get to sit down and open presents with everyone.
- Chill out about the shopping. With our Christmas shopping this year I am doing what I can when I can. I have pretty specific ideas for most people I'm shopping for and I work on those a little bit during my free time. Online shopping has been a real life saver this year - we found the girls' big item (chairs for downstairs family time) as well as gifts for nieces, nephews, friends and family all in one handy place - Thank you Amazon! One thing I am trying to do is buy smart. I'm not buying out of obligation, but trying to put thought into each gift we give. Even with gifts the girls pick out for family members, we're trying to pick something that will mean something to the recipient. It takes a little more thought, but means so much more when it's opened!
- Remember why we're celebrating. How often do you stop to remember why we're celebrating Christmas in the first place? If the first time you think of Jesus' birth is the Christmas Eve service at your church, you might want to take some time out and reflect. This is such a special time of year - a time we have to remember when our Savior came to earth and was born. God sure considered it to be special! How many times in the Bible was an event heralded with choirs of angels and a huge star pointing the way? I can think of only one time... the birth of His one and only son, Jesus Christ. Jesus really is the reason we celebrate this holiday and we need to remember that. Maybe tonight is a good night to read the Christmas story with your kids or talk to them about Christmas. My girls love talking about Jesus' birth anytime, but especially at Christmas time!
I hope that you will be able to take some time and enjoy the Christmas season with me this year. I am determined that I will find the magic and joy in Christmas, even if it means I have to shut myself in the house with my Christmas carols and hot coffee! Let Christ share His joy with you and let His peace rule in your heart this special holiday!
- Stop and enjoy the magic with your kids. Does your town do a Christmas light display or does your church put on a Christmas Eve play? Go to them with your kids and enjoy seeing them through young eyes. We have a local train display that the girls really enjoy visiting every year, followed by a drive through town to see the lights. Even though the lights are the same every year the girls enjoy seeing where different displays are set up - it's like visiting old friends every year! My goal this year is to share the magic with them and step outside of my "mommy shoes" for a little bit. Usually during these trips I'm worried about getting us there, keeping track of everyone's stuff while we're at the train display, etc., etc., etc. This year I want to let that go a bit and just have fun.
- Take the stress out of your preparation. I have a lot of packing to do before we leave on the 20th of December... A LOT of packing! But I'm trying not to worry about it and stress over it. It will get done in time or we will stop at a WalMart on the way and pick up what we forgot. Do you have family coming to stay with you during the holiday? Try to make sure you take time while they're with you to relax and enjoy their company. Don't let your hostess duties rob you of the special time you have to share with your family. It's perfectly fine if breakfast on Christmas morning is bakery pastries or a box of donuts if it means you get to sit down and open presents with everyone.
- Chill out about the shopping. With our Christmas shopping this year I am doing what I can when I can. I have pretty specific ideas for most people I'm shopping for and I work on those a little bit during my free time. Online shopping has been a real life saver this year - we found the girls' big item (chairs for downstairs family time) as well as gifts for nieces, nephews, friends and family all in one handy place - Thank you Amazon! One thing I am trying to do is buy smart. I'm not buying out of obligation, but trying to put thought into each gift we give. Even with gifts the girls pick out for family members, we're trying to pick something that will mean something to the recipient. It takes a little more thought, but means so much more when it's opened!
- Remember why we're celebrating. How often do you stop to remember why we're celebrating Christmas in the first place? If the first time you think of Jesus' birth is the Christmas Eve service at your church, you might want to take some time out and reflect. This is such a special time of year - a time we have to remember when our Savior came to earth and was born. God sure considered it to be special! How many times in the Bible was an event heralded with choirs of angels and a huge star pointing the way? I can think of only one time... the birth of His one and only son, Jesus Christ. Jesus really is the reason we celebrate this holiday and we need to remember that. Maybe tonight is a good night to read the Christmas story with your kids or talk to them about Christmas. My girls love talking about Jesus' birth anytime, but especially at Christmas time!
I hope that you will be able to take some time and enjoy the Christmas season with me this year. I am determined that I will find the magic and joy in Christmas, even if it means I have to shut myself in the house with my Christmas carols and hot coffee! Let Christ share His joy with you and let His peace rule in your heart this special holiday!
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