Hello Ladies!
The Maple Leaf Festival is now history for Carthage. What does that mean for me? It means the time is going to go faster and faster until New Year’s Day! I am all for preparing early for Christmas. What I’ve found is that if I’m not ready by early December, I spend all of December in a stressed out frenzy. That’s not the kind of memory I want my kids to have of me! Am I jumping the gun? No, I don’t think so. I want to be mindful of my time so that I can enjoy December and Advent with my children. I want the focus to be on Jesus, not on the fuss of it all.
How are you doing? Are you thinking through what you want to do yet? Any presents made or bought or planned yet? Think about what you want this season to be like. Think about what meals you’ll be preparing, what snacks and baking you’ll want to do. Think about the gifts you’ll want to prepare. It’s not too early to start getting it all down on paper.
No idea where to begin? Begin with prayer! Ask the Lord how you can honor Him with the celebration of His birth. He’ll put some ideas in your head. You’ll probably find that you can simplify a lot.
Now is the time to talk with family members about scaling back on gift giving this year before anyone gets caught up in the gimme spirit instead of the Holy Spirit. It can happen to adults, too. We just paint a pretty face over it, and call it the spirit of giving.
Well, I suppose I’ve given you something to think about.
May God bless you with peace, hope, and focus this holiday season!
Laura
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May I suggest?
Christmas Wishes...
Christmas Wishes...
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We decided to only do gifts for the small children in the family this year. I have a few gifts to make, but know exactly what I will be doing. Mostly, my husband and I are excited to put up the fresh Christmas tree and make some treats. It's amazing how much less stress there is when you don't have to fret about being stuck in crowds of people! (The only family member in this house to get something will be the farm dog, Molly. She'll get a new tennis ball and a rawhide bone....her gift is simple, easy, inexpensive, and she seems so happy to get them!).
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day....I already feel the Spirit of the Season more so this year.
I like to have my cards done in Nov and we decorate the house the weekend after Thanksgiving. That way we have all of Dec to bake, craft, and enjoy our holiday.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait until Christmas because my ABE is coming home, it will be soooo wonderful! That is really all that matters, having him home, of course, I know he is expecting me to cook all his favorites....;)
ReplyDeleteJason and I were just discussing how the focus on Jesus keeps getting lost somewhere along the way, no matter how hard you try. I'm going to take your advice and start getting stuff down on paper now too! Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Tammy
Hello Laura,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely comment on my blog! I finally managed to pop over and visit you! :)
I prepare for Christmas early too, it's far more peaceful that way and everyone is more relaxed. We keep things simple too. xx
It's fun to plan festivals ahead. Increases the fun manifolds.
ReplyDeleteI am a co-host for Wake-Up Wednesday Linky Party and would like to thank you for partying with us.
-Tanya
http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/
Holidays and holiday celebrations are somewhat of a struggle for us, as we view them largely as commercialized. Nonetheless, we enjoy spending time with family or other loved ones. I also enjoy small gift giving pleasures. This year, I've decided to make handmade crocheted socks for each of my siblings. Depending on time and other factors, I also may crochet something for each child (there's 4 right now), but if not that's ok, too. Our idea of gift giving is for practical things bought or considered out of love for that person. :)
ReplyDeleteLB, I agree with you. I think your idea is great.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Laura
You're right, Tanya. Happy blessings!
ReplyDeleteChristmas can be such commercial time and we really want our children to understand that Christmas is about Jesus and not about us. We do presents (because I really love giving) but they are usually useful things or educational. It is a great time for us as a family and we all get together to celebrate Jesus' birth. Thank you for the encouragement to think differently about Christmas, and thank you for sharing on Good Morning Mondays. Blessings
ReplyDeleteDear Terri,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though your family is on the right path to enjoying the best of the season. It's a time to draw closer to each other and to God.
Blessings to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Laura Lane
Harvest Lane Cottage
Our family celebrates Christmas by participating in the Advent Conspiracy (charitable gift-giving). You can read about how we do it in my post called "Christmas In July". It's so nice to see such an effort to keep Christmas not only simple, but in its proper perspective. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI'll go look at your post, Heather. Thanks for talking back!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Laura Lane
Harvest Lane Cottage