But what I don't agree with is cutting out all of the special, unique, memory-making moments you can have with your families at Christmastime. I don't think it has to be expensive or material or time-consuming, but I DO think it would be incredibly sad if we chose to ignore the beauty that is the season.
I am a big tradition-girl. I grew up with a lot of traditions, and I have made it a point to create a lot of traditions with my own children now. I remember hearing a wise woman talk once about the power of creating traditions as a mother...the sense of security and warmth that it brings to our children, the sense of family that arises, the art of creating sacred out of the ordinary. And that, to me, is something worth creating time for.
If we don't stop to add something extra to our months, how will we remember to usher in the season of remembering the Christ-child? This babe sent to earth to bring us LIGHT and LIFE and HOPE and PEACE. Who doesn't need those??? This son of God come down in the most humble of ways to serve US, to show us the WAY, to bring us JOY and life everlasting. It was, indeed, a holy night, friends. And I desire for this month to be a holy season in my house, too. I don't want the month to pass as normal as June or October, and I don't want the month to pass in a blur of lists and stress, either. But I DO want to stop and bring the joy of this Christmas season to my home in some special, meaningful ways.
Is there just one thing you can pick this season? Can you add one thing to your normal routine to stop and proclaim that we are celebrating something HUGE? Can you bake cookies with your kids? Can you create a paper chain countdown? Can you go Christmas caroling? Create a Christmas craft? Take them shopping for the food pantry? Can you deliver a loaf of bread to a neighbor? Buy a gift for an underprivileged child? Can you read an advent devotion or the story of Jesus's birth in Luke 2? Can you drive around looking at Christmas lights or take a winter trip to the zoo? Can you just pick one thing to add to your days to mark this season as special and holy?
I am not suggesting that you become a stressed-out mama monster. I have been there, and it is not pretty. But I promise that when you choose to pick something to make this time special, you will be blessed. You WILL be blessed.
So I boldly suggest that we don't work too hard at simplifying, but rather, that we take time to make this season the "most wonderful time of the year."
Merry Christmas, Friends!
Be blessed!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
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