I don't know what this holiday ennui is all about, this year. I've been trying to figure it out. I haven't really established a connection with my new church, that might be part of it, since Christmas was always so special in our home church. Also, neither of my older kids will be here for Christmas, and that's a bummer. But as I've considered further, I think what it really boils down to is...
It's freaking November 30th! Good grief! Christmas decorations have been up in stores forever, and commercials have been singing about getting your shopping done. Didn't we used to at least get to celebrate Thanksgiving before the commercial side of Christmas punched us in the nose? A radio station in my town has been playing Christmas music for a week now. I love Christmas music, don't get me wrong, but didn't that whole thing used to start December 1st?
Many people I know have already put up their decorations. Some of my overachieving friends have finished their shopping. I've never been considered an overachiever, in any way, so it should surprise no one that I have approximately three items purchased, out of the roughly three trillion items I will need to purchase before Christmas Eve. However, hold on...
It's freaking November 30th! I have 24 whole days to shop! More than three weeks! So what if we don't have a tree yet? Where is it written that we have to have a Christmas tree before we've even finished digesting Thanksgiving turkey?
So I think it's going to be ok. I think I'm going to pull it out. I'm already starting to plan the Christmas menu, so that counts, right?
There is one thing I will be dragging out of storage tomorrow morning, no matter what, and that is...
Our Advent calendar. Because what better way is there to get into the spirit of the season than making a concerted effort to spend some time each day remembering what the season is all about? I may not be there yet, but by Christmas Eve, I have complete faith that I'll be singing carols with a full heart, eagerly anticipating Christmas morning.
1 comment:
Oh, for Freakin' Frank's sake, Amy! You and I BOTH know that it is paragraph #2 that is the real answer. It is precisely because it is our home church doing Advent/Christmas so well that I love it the earlier it starts. For me, there is nothing better than the first Sunday in Advent being the Sunday following Thanksgiving!
You are with your Advent calendar the way I am with my bronze Advent wreath ... just have to get it out first thing. I'm using it this year both in Koinonia Class each Sunday and in our Wednesday small group study. Thanks you, Hobby Lobby, for having the coach candles in stock! (and pooh on Michael's for not carrying them in the first place)
Last, but not least ... it must really suck not to have the older ones at home this year. I understand completely.
<3
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