Christmas started a little late around here, I had actually toyed with the idea of skipping it all together (one should actually know not to do that, thanks to John Grisham's book Skipping Christmas, that was made into the movie, Christmas with the Kranks). But alas, sometimes I play the fool very well, and entertained the idea for probably longer than I should have.
Two solid weeks into November, I finally marched angrily downstairs and started hauling up Christmas stuff, I kept thinking to myself, why am I doing this, just to undo it in 6 weeks, the thought of taking it down was causing me angst in putting it up.
This is not unusual for me, I've recently been working out every morning with a friend, which often ends in coffee, and chitchat, it's like a free mini therapy session. During one of our leg days- I came to a sudden realization that I am merely living to get things checked off my list, to move on to the next thing, and I only feel safe and secure when there is not one thing on my horizon. Which, let's be honest, it not possible in life, there is always something coming... but I learned that I don't live in the moment, I live in the future moment where I feel free, safe, with no looming expectations or responsibilities. It's really weird- and I'm working on this, But I digress- Let's get back to Christmas with this crank ;)
So down to the basement I marched, dog ran to take solace upstairs as I angrily marched downstairs- you know the march, the heavy step that makes everyone in the house disperse- because they know not to get in your way at that moment- for fear of that middle age rage, which I may have more of than I'd like to admit.
Up I come, now I'm sweating, and frustrated, yelling at Alexa to play classic Christmas, standing in front of the burning fireplace because "It's the holidays, I am getting into the holiday spirit if it kills me!" and then I stopped dead in my tracks- my spirit immediately caught me off guard, "Melissa, we do this not for social norms, we don't celebrate and decorate because we have to, we celebrate the birth of Jesus..." my heart hurt, tears rolled down my cheeks. How could I have gotten so wrapped up in angst and frustration about celebrating the greatest gift of all? How would I have let myself get so far from the truth that I honestly "forgot"?
I had to stop, ask forgiveness, say sorry, and make that 180º heart turn. It was in that moment all of that angst, anger and frustration just left, it was in that moment that my heart said, I get to decorate in honour of the greatest gift ever.
I share this with you, because I know I am probably not alone, I know that social expectations weight heavy on everyone's heart during this seasons, did I do enough, did I give enough, am I enough...
Let me stop you right there... we are enough, what we give during this season of celebration is enough, if we can keep our focus on the reason for the season... He is more than enough.
Be encouraged, be hopeful, be mindful, be filled with joy as you gear up to celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus this season, and Share the love, the most important thing we can do, is share the love,
M.
Scroll down for a free graphic, if you want to print it in high resolution it is available on my Etsy Shop. To purchase Click here:
Black on White 11x14in: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/476111362/black-and-white-christmas-verse-glory-to
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My Advent Calendars are all available on Etsy as well :)
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST 2023 ©LostBumblebee | www.lostbumblebee.com | Free Printable | Personal Use only
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