Yesterday as I was in line at the grocery store, the cashier asked the patron in front of me, "Ready for Christmas?" To which the patron replied, "I'm ready for it to be over!"
Today I noticed a friend's status on Facebook basically saying she couldn't wait for the holidays to be over with.
Could imagine overhearing your friends and family telling each other how they couldn't wait for your birthday to be over and done with? Could you imagine seeing your friends and family endure such self-inflicted stress all in your name?
I know that this time of year can be hectic. Visiting, shopping, baking, decorating, serving, debt, holiday programs, hosting, traveling . . . so overwhelming. When do we even have a moment to remember?
Each year we proclaim that it's not about the gifts, it's not about the baking or the decorating, but year after year we make it all about that. Each year we're pulling our hair out and proclaiming to strangers in grocery stores that we can't wait for the holidays to be over with. The world "holiday" derived from "Holy Day." How have we made our holidays more holy?
Today I'm going to treasure having my children home with me all day. Tomorrow I'm going to treasure having my husband home as well. We are going to snuggle up together and relish our time together.
Instead of wishing for the holidays to be over, I'm going to mourn when they do end and we're pulled back to school, work and other distractions. But for now, I'm so grateful for this time of year when we can focus on each other and the One who made it all possible. I'm grateful for that first Christmas family - who set the example of what the Holy Days are all about - celebrating the birth of a king in a simple love-filled way - just being together, no grandiose celebrations, no ornate decorations, no fancy meal.
Merry Christmas. May your holidays be, in fact, Holy Days.
6 years ago
