to fret, to budget, to worry that the kids will like what they get - will they feel like they got enough? I don't want to be a debbie downer, but it would be so nice if so much commercialism and materialism weren't wrapped up in Christmas. I love the Spirit of Christmas, everyone's excited, more kind, more thoughtful, more giving. It seems that it would be more enjoyable if our customs leaned more toward tangible but not touchable acts of service. Instead of giving a gift from from one hand to another, we could create bonds through lending ourselves to one another.
I realize it's a pipe dream. I'm the world's worst of wanting to get one more present for the kids. But how would it be to live in a world where the homemade gift truly was enough? For the giver and receiver. That we were aware of the richness of having one another and the simple things in life. I believe that that Christmas is out there waiting for us, maybe not as a nation or culture, but maybe for a moment as a family. I hope that I can give my kids a piece of what I think that feels like; peaceful, grateful, loving, safe. So adored that a Father would give His Son that we might live this life to become more and then return home to be greater, even beyond our imaginations. A homemade gift that's tangible but not touchable, so real, but can't be wrapped. It's how Christmas started out to be and will be once again.
In the mean time I'll wake up early the day after Thanksgiving and help the economy, hoping to get some good finds for the kids. I'm already excited about decorating, the music, not sleeping on Christmas eve, all the fun parties, eating too many sweets. But! I do hope to reserve a few moments to slow down and experience the Christmas of my dreams and be extra grateful, peaceful, and sit in awe with the knowledge that I was adored enough for a Son to be born, His life to be lived in service and His death in suffering....what a gift to us all.
