Christmas is Coming!

Seems like the world has decided to skip over Thanksgiving and get right to Christmas. Retailers are so worried about low profits that they've started their ads now, and a local radio station has already switched to an "all Christmas music" format for the duration.

While I love Christmas and can't wait to get to the celebrating, I think it will be interesting to see how people will adjust this year. With less to spend, they may actually rediscover the real meaning, and spend more time with relatives and loved ones than money. I can see the spoiled consumer in my son disappointed that he will be receiving fewer gifts this year from family members, and the price limit is lower. On my side of the family,we are exchanging gifts amongst the grandchildren, and adults are doing a white elephant exchange, which gives the opportunity for regifting and homemade gifts. But then, my family grew up making presents and shopping at the Five and Dime for inexpensive gifts.

We will still enjoy our precious few days together, but since most of the money will be spent on traveling to our parents' house (don't get me started on the airlines), we'll redefine our visit by reading the story of Christ's birth, re-enacting it with the manger scene that I loved unpacking as a child, and singing Christmas carols, which somehow got lost in previous years amongst all the discarded Christmas wrapping paper.

I pray that this time of year doesn't leave you too stressed, and that you might consider leaving some money in your pocket, yet have a richer holiday by getting back to basics. Attend a Christmas eve service, or drive through a live nativity, and light the fire of hope in your life that Christ was born to die for you - the ultimate gift from our loving father. Merry Christmas.

Happy New Year

Since we were staying at our parents's houses and there were many people vying for computer time, I didn't get to blog while we were away for Christmas and New Years. So, I'll have to catch you up in chunks, as I remember them, with the aid of some photos.

We had an amazing time laughing, playing and eating with our families. Every year we are overwhelmed with hospitality and food! And we try to see and do and eat as much as we can in the amount of time we have.

Most importantly, everyone is healthy and happy. However, Dad is having another tumor removed from his bladder, plus some repair work, on Thursday. The doctor doesn't seem concerned, or a least Dad's playing it down. Please pray for him.

Bill and I came home with colds. I'm sure mine started with my moutain cedar allergy, and can't decide between settling in my sinuses or chest. Bill is running a fever with his, and stayed home from work to try to recover quickly.

We're beginning to feel almost normal again after the jet lag. I went to Tescos yesterday after showering and changing clothes, but I felt like a zombie. I ran into a friend who wanted to chat. I was so non-responsive. My body was there, but my mind was asleep. Sorry.

It's always a little disappointing to come home and have to take the tree down by myself. Brendan will be back to school tomorrow. At least the three suitcases of laundry is washed, folded and ironed, and we have food in the fridge. I'll put on some Christmas music and make it as festive a take-down as it was a put-up.

BTW - go out and find the January issue of Crafts 'n Things before it leaves the shelves! My Rustic Angel Ornament design is on page 25. So the first article wasn't a fluke. I just have to get moving faster to get published more. After receiving a handful of rejection letters, I got a bite from Philomel Books. They want to read my Dillon and Blue manuscript. Keep your fingers crossed.

(I'm not sure about copyright laws, so you have to buy the mag to see the instructions.)

Countdown to Christmas!

I am SO excited about going home for Christmas. I can't wait. This week is the real countdown for me. We don't get into San Antonio until Tuesday, because we have to stop over in Dallas for doctor visits and interviews, but still - the weather should be nice, and we'll back in familiar stomping grounds eating chicken fried steak, bbq and mexican food.

The good thing about traveling at Christmas is that it forces you to get done early, so you can enjoy the time with family. I've completed my online shopping (that's not to say that Bill has). I've complete the Christmas crafts for church, did my last week of Sunday School. I handed out teachers' gifts today. Now, I can fully appreciate the company dinner I'm going to with my husband tonight, the American ladies gift exchange and Brendan's school play on Thursday.

The bad thing about traveling at Christmas is, well, the traveling (think Planes, Trains and Automobiles). You have to pack a good sense of humor - but you can't take it on the plane! With the new restrictions, they have managed to suck all the fun out of it. I can't take any liquids on the plane, so I where my glasses the whole trip and my lips dry until they crack, and I can't get enough water in those little plastic cups, no matter how many times I ask the nice flight attendant.

Amidst all this planning, preparing and organizing, I have been blessed to spend time with Brendan before bed reading about the birth of Jesus in the four gospels while he puts the pieces of his advent calendar together, and tucks them away again. I've also been studying the Last Supper, death and resurrection stories from John with Xplore (my Sunday School group). It is so obvious that this is not the big event. This little baby came with a purpose. Jesus came to die and rise again. It gives Christmas a whole new perspective. And while I love this time of year, I'm enjoying it even more knowing that this is only one chapter of the story. The climax is yet to come - and it's a good on!