Friday, November 30, 2012
Caffeinated Christmas - Simple and Pure
I've spent the day trying to think about what to write about. The last few years I have had challenges for everyone for the Christmas Season. Best Decorations. Best Christmas Story. Holiday Traditions. You get my point. This year I have .......Nothing.
I have tried to avoid Christmas this year. I didn't want to think about it. I called the neighbour down the road crazy for putting up her Christmas decorations the day after Halloween (you have to give me that one.) Every time there is a Christmas countdown mentioned, I just want to scream. It's not that I have not thought about it or prepared. I have a pretty good idea of what I am getting everyone. I even took part in Black Friday to purchase a new Keurig for my mother in law. Waiting in front of Walmart at 7 am in -10C was exhilarating to say the least. There were 10 of us who braved it and nobody got hurt. I digress....
It's not that I dislike Christmas. I love Christmas. I love the smells. I love the lights. I love the traditions. I just don't like the stress; the expectations; and the family strife that occurs during the season. I love surprising my kids with their gifts. I love sitting by the tree, mesmerized by the light. I love watching the Christmas shows (The Drummer Boy is still my favourite). I dislike the mess. I dislike phony sentiments. I dislike the commercialism that it has become.
Christmas as a kid and Christmas as an adult are different. I now know why my grandmother breathed a sigh of relief, along with a glass of wine, after Christmas dinner. I know the stress of getting that perfect gift so that you can see the light in their eyes Christmas morning. I know how tired my feet feel after spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day standing in preparation of a meal that is done in 1 hour. I too know how good that glass of wine is when all is said and done.
However, I also know the true reason for the season. I love watching my kids every day of advent create the nativity scene. I love when they finally get to put out baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. I love reading them their Christmas books about joy, compassion, hope, and love. I know why Christmas occurs and the sacrifice made for us to experience it. I know that Jesus came with little fanfare and little glory. The hype that Christmas has become almost cheapens this. I enjoy the simple. I enjoy the less.
This week I finally let the Christmas decorations out early so that I could start to light our Advent candles. Yes, I'm early but I have been doing the Good Morning Girls Advent Study and this week was on the light. I wanted to see the light. The simple candle burning for all to see. The light representing the hope that was brought into the world. The simple flame. The flame that grew to burn around the world. The flame that continues to burn. The flame that guides us. The flame that shines upon each of us. This is really Christmas.
This season of advent. I'm going to look for the simple amongst all the paraphernalia. I'm going to focus on the flame burning and what that flame represents. I'm going to focus on the positive in the negative. I'm going to not become burned out. I'm going to try to not become Scrooge and allow my heart to be open and not shut. Won't you join me?
Have you been avoiding Christmas too? What are you looking for this season? Come join the other Java Junkies this week and share in the Christmas Randomness.
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- Michelle
- Alberta, Canada
- I'm a 39 year old (oh yeah I'm telling you my age) Stay at Home mom. A former Bad Girl now reformed sinner, I'm married to my Y2K guy and raising 3 great children from God. Proudly Canadian, however, missing the West Coast, I currently live in the prairies watching the farmers fields produce as I learn how God produces the fruits in me.
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6 comments:
usually by now i have decorated and nearly finished the shopping. this year? ummmm. i have 6 presents. no decorations. it's not that i don;t WANT to do it. i just feel too tired. and busy. i need to do like you and begin the advent reading....
Yep, I'm with you! Have a great weekend!
God wrapped in human flesh...God with us...born to die that all may live. May we hold this treasure in our hearts this season and always. Thanks for the great post & for hosting, & God bless!
This is one of the first years in a while when I feel like I'm ready for this christmas completely - it's not overwhelming me with worry about celebrating it correctly, and not getting sucked in the gifts... don't know why really. i'm also doing the GMG advent study, and really enjoying it - especially the family activities...
thanks for hosting again!
Marissa
http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com
I understand you. I am looking for a real Christmas. with Jesus in my heart and with simple fun in the family.
Great reminders! Love the nativity scene idea! I'd love to find a set like that!
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