no...not did you have it...I mean, do you have it yet...for this year?
ha ha! I can't believe it I DO!
I actually still have the Christmas spirit, and am looking forward with great anticipation to this year's Christmastime.
I even went shopping for decorations already. And not just to get the great deals...I mean to tell you that I was excited about getting decorations for Christmas this year as if it were the day after Thanksgiving. It's CRAZY.
Why do you think this is?
My friend Vanessa and I talked about how the season felt different somehow this year. More reverent; more thought provoking; somehow, more about Jesus than ever before.
James and I talked about how we would down-play the gifts this year, and really focus on spending more time than money.
But that's nothing new!
People say that all the time.
But agreeing on that early on really relieved stress and pressure, and maybe that's why the holiday seemed more joyous. More time to think about Jesus' birth rather than who was getting what. The reality is...our children need for nothing. Their bedrooms burst at the seams with toys, dolls, posters, video games, collectibles. Their closets are full (and the laundry room even fuller). Their bathroom is overflowing with perfume-y lotions, potions, scrubs, sprays. Really, what more is there to give them except a variation of what they already have?
But when I say I have the Christmas spirit again, or still...I mean that I am excited to spend more of this kind of time with them. I am looking forward again to telling them the story of how Jesus came to us as a baby in a manger. I want to sit around the table and fondue again and feel the glow that only celebrating the true spirit of Christmas brings.
Pastor Jerry has said that there is a difference between happiness and joy. That is so true.
I can still feel joy even when I'm not particularly happy...and that is a gift.
But this year at Christmas I was both happy and full of joy.
That is a treasure.
Jill,
ReplyDeleteReading this post was like opening a gift...sheer delight in what I've just read, all the while filled with eager anticipation of what's next. So now I'M in the Christmas spirit, again (or still?). Which makes me wonder - what does our Amazing God have in store for us this year? I think what you and I (and I'm sure many others) experienced this Christmas Season was only a taste of what He's doing and going to do this year. Our Pastor says it best "The best is yet to come!"
I'm grateful to have you in my life!
I've been thinking that this downturn in the economy could be a big fat blessing and this is such a good example! I have to agree with you. It DEFINITELY felt that way for me too.
ReplyDeleteOur family has felt that Joy as well:) What a wonderful year 2009 is going to be. AND I've fondued with the Kocian family...it really is all its cracked up to be:)
ReplyDelete