Monday, December 21, 2009

A Christmas Surprise

This Monday before Christmas is holding a surprising emotion for me: I feel good about Christmas.


I still have things to do. I am still worried about money. I am still stressed about keeping up with the house and kids, but I feel good about Christmas. I feel good about the presents that we chose for the kids and the amount that we chose. I feel good about the things I am making. I feel good about this season of family. Last night, when we were reading some books, we got talking about what is the best part of Christmas. Do you know what my boys said? According to Cal it is everyone being together and Tate was certain it is because it is Jesus' birthday and I don't care if they were just trying to give me the "right answer." Somewhere it is sinking in that Christmas isn't just about getting STUFF, it's about family and sharing and joy and thanksgiving and celebration and LOVE. God's love, our love for each other, love for others and this planet.

So yes, Santa will visit and the kids will get STUFF (and this will probably give me more joy than it gives them), but Aunt Laurie and Doug will also visit. And Nana and Papa and the Great Grandmas. And we will visit Grandma and Grandpa and all the other aunts and uncles and cousins. And there will be lots of sharing and laughing and loving.


So to all my blogging friends, I wish you a blessed Christmas. I hope you enjoy it as much as I will.


*The ornaments pictured are the new ones for the kids this year. As is our tradition, they commemorate something that reminds us of this past year in one way or another. This year we are remembering our first true family vacation.

8 comments:

feather said...

elissa! great post. i'm feeling the same way but you put it into such beautiful words. my daughter wrote a journal entry on the way to montana this weekend, in which she described that the best thing about christmas was famiily. and being together. thank you for reminding me of the simple blessings this week.

Nicola said...

awesome, elissa. so glad to hear it. i truly wish you and your aweet family a very joyous week!
hugs,
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

What a great post. So well said.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday. And it sounds like you are well on your way.

Melissa Crowe said...

Amen, my friend, and right back at ya.

Korana said...

Great ornaments! It is wonderful when they "get it."

beemahoney said...

so happy for your content spirit *)

Anna said...

Hoping your Christmas was lovely, lovely, lovely.

Sherrie said...

Over a week, I am having Elissa withdrawal! Hope that you had a wonderful Christmas! Blessings on you for 2010