Ready or Not-Here It Comes
Christmas is here. Well almost.
After a busy day hanging out with the boys who are here to celebrate Christmas with us we left for Christmas Eve Service. Three days ago I was asked to play the part of Mary and my husband the part of Joseph. It wasn't anything big deal, basically just readings during the Christmas program. It was to be fairly simple filled with mostly lit candles and plenty of music. I guess I was chosen to be Mary because I am the youngest in the congregation. How sad is that? Actually tonight somebody said I looked 28. They couldn't believe my kids were that old. I'm loving this church!!! I think it was the candlelight. I'm pretty sure she wasn't drinking.
But it was good. Many came up after the service and told us how much they appreciated us stepping up to the plate and how much they enjoyed what we did. I guess in a way it was kind of an ice breaker. Sort of like an initiation so to speak. We've been to the church now 4-5 weeks. From what I understand there isn't too many volunteers who do much in this small church. So they appreciated the fact we did. Hopefully we can help things along in this department. My goal has always been to spread the workload around. Delegate.
Years ago my husband started a tradition with the boys to go Christmas shopping without Mom. So usually two or three days before Christmas they go out and get each other gifts (usually stupid funny gifts) and it's also the night to get the Mom gift. I can hardly wait to see the outcome of this. I mean how can one top the banana holder? They have a good time. Today was their day. They went out together and had a great time. Nothing's changed. They still came home after shopping and scurried to different corners of the house to wrap their gifts with care in private just like they did when they were 10 years old. Well in private. Not so sure about the "care" thing.
I come into the living room fo find this big black trashbag under the tree with a medium sized gift in it. On the outside is a sticky note that says "Mom." It doesn't take Einstein to figure out this is from David. Every year his wrapping is, should we say, very interesting? Usually it's done up in the comics and masking or duct tape style. This year he wrapped his Dad's gift in a paper towel. I guess he doesn't like to waste wrapping paper. So every year he messes up my beautiful evergreen tree with meticulously wrapped gifts laying so beautiful underneath with his bizarre wrapping style. I'm kind of surprised he hasn't thought of toilet paper yet. Hmmmm maybe that's next year?
Tonight my husband said, "Go ahead and take a picture of the tree. Someone who sees this will think we put our trash under it." Thanks David!! I can hardly wait to open up my trash bag tomorrow.
This year was a bit hectic with the move and all. Usually I'm much more organized than this but it seemed to come together near the end. I guess it usually does. Made Brian's favorite peanut butter fudge. Well Bobby's enjoying it anyway. That was the first thing he asked when he came home...."did you make the fudge?" I barely got the cooking in and not as much as usual.
When things don't go as planned it's always good to reflect on the very first Christmas long ago. Joseph not only didn't buy the baby Jesus a gift for this momentous occasion, he couldn't even get a hotel room for the night. Forget about sugar plums dancing in his head. I'm sure the mooing, bleeting and lowing kept him awake all night. The angels had to work Christmas Day and Christmas night. No double pay for them. And the Magi didn't deliver their gifts until sometime after Christmas. And Jesus only got three presents. Seems kind of skimpy given today's standard gift giving.
So if this Christmas doesn't live up to your expectations, it's always good to remember what it really celebrates; that God himself came into our messed up world and dwelt among us. He gave us the best git of all. Himself.
Merry Christmas.