A Joyful Christmas Blessing

As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is.--Eric Sevareid 

Lord Jesus,

Please forgive me for being so grumpy as I trudge through the never-ending tasks set before me this holiday season...

My to-do list seems to keep growing with shopping, church services, and family gatherings---

and I'm running short of time!

Restore the joy of Christmas to my heart . . .

and help me to relax each day and make time for

YOU--

my one true Source of Joy.

We use this time of year for reflection. Happy memories or painful, they help us grow. They create tradition and re-affirming of neglected friendships and families. We remember loved ones no longer here. Most of all we look for that wonderment in a child's eyes. It is certainly true; if we could only keep this feeling in our hearts all the days of the year.

Christmas came early this year. It snuck up on me. Between Thanksgiving, craft shows, work, and a trip to Portland for a concert with my sister, it descended upon us. Thank goodness for Dan and the kids to make sure all the decorations were hauled up from the basement and the last traces of farmers market and sales were banished from the dining room table. 
My grandson, Jacob cut down his first tree and it stands tall and straight in our living room.
Animated and colorful displays cover walls, doors, and tables. 
The scents of bayberry,apple,cinnamon and pine fill the air.
Plants in bloom move into the house from the greenhouse. 
But it got done. And we all survived. So what if all the lights didn't get put up outside. We went for the minimalist look on the tree. We didn't gain any extra weight scarfing up tons of breads, candies and cookies.
We had a wonderful dinner that everyone contributed to and enjoyed watching favorite holiday shows and singing karaoke.
And tho I didn't get the cards mailed out, it gives me a great opportunity to write an after the holidays letter!
And now it is my birthday. I took the day off work so I could stay home and feel sorry for myself. Well, I had planned to do that, but instead made lists of winter projects I need to get done. Some painting, flooring and rearranging. LOTS of organizing and de-cluttering. And its got to get done before all the greenhouse work that starts back up in a month or so.
My wonderful brothers called to wish me happy birthday and to catch up. Jobs, homes and families keep us so busy that we rarely talk anymore, and that's sad. I'm gonna resolve to keep in touch more. I miss them and the closeness we shared when we were young and unfettered.
But time to get back to reality. Soon the decorations will be memories and I am already planning ahead for spring craft and garden shows.
So love one another and hold tight to our faith that we can make a difference. Let's pray for world peace, an end to poverty and hunger, economic strife.
And take time for the children. They are our future. And they pick out our nursing homes!
Love to all...






Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth . . . . may we begin to see the world in the light of the understanding you give us.  As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart.  May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving.  Amen.