…either that or I'm getting sick
again. I've slept more in the last three days than I have in the
last month and a half. We head back down to TN (from MI) tuesday
morning. It was weird to have snow. I mean it actually snowed, as in big old fat snowflakes that were falling out of the sky. None of my kids had ever seen that before.
Are you looking forward to Christmas? I am dreading Christmas
because I hate spending money and we inevitably spend money. I
also don't like getting presents. It's all too expected.
You must give presents and you must get presents. But the thing
that I dislike the most about Christmas is that it is all done under
the guise of celebrating Christ; 98% of it really hasn't anything to do
with knowing or worshipping or proclaiming the Good News about Jesus
the Messiah. It is just a season to be stressed.
Bah Humbug. So tell me how you avoid Christmas drudgery.
|
on November 27th, 2005 at 5:26 pm
I so know what you mean
I am editing this because I really don't want to stir up strife. Plus, I think that I was in a mood when I wrote that.
My sweet husband who is my always defender, said I should tell you that my jewish husband wrote the other post. 'Cepting that he is not jewish and he does not never ever, ever, no never blog.
I just loooooove that man.
Edited by CAgirlwithasoutherndrawl on Nov. 27, 2005 at 7:18 PM
on November 27th, 2005 at 5:32 pm
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You big Scrooge. Humbuggers to YOU. I am excited about Christmas, and it’s not the gifts, either. I don’t expect anything other than homemade art projects from my kids. But I love this time of year. It’s cold and lovely outside, and the lights and wreaths are going up everywhere. LOVE IT. It reminds me too of the Lord, and all that we receive is ultimately from His hand. I think on these things all year long, so really, Christmas is not that much different. But seeing manger scenes and churches lit up beautifully is just an added reminder. I’m also reminded of my childhood (with my little monster sister) who I shared a room (and bed!) with on so many Christmas Eves, giggling under the covers waiting for morning to hurry and come. So there, you dumb Scrooge. Bleh.
on November 27th, 2005 at 6:41 pm
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When we lived in Missouri, I hated Christmas. I was stressed the entire season. Too many holiday parties, too many gifts to buy, too many people with hurt feelings if we didn’t do *this* and go *there*. Now that we have moved to Kentucky, things are so much nicer. We have a much slower pace here. We go back to Missouri one weekend and if people want us to attend their Christmas parties, they will have the party while we are there. We insist on celebrating the actual holiday at our own home in our own way. We purchase 3 gifts each for our children, rarely for each other (although we are this year, we’ve been very blessed recently). We draw names for every other function, therefore we don’t have zillions of gifts to buy anymore. Christmas is now peaceful and fun and we can focus on what we are truly celebrating. On a sad side note, I recently started teaching the preschool Sunday School class at our small church. This morning I started off studying the Christmas story by discussing how the angel came to Mary. To kick off our study, I asked if anyone knew what Christmas was. One little girl had NO IDEA it was to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. I was floored. And saddened.
on November 27th, 2005 at 6:52 pm
Christmas
This holiday really has become a “Hallmark” holiday…I agree. I don’t really care for the gotta give gifts, gotta get gifts mentality. I haven’t for awhile now…ever since I met Jesus and figured out what Christmas is supposed to mean. I worked for Jehovah Witnesses who told me that I celebrated a pagan holiday. But what we must remember is that Christ is the Redeemer, if He can take wretches like ourselves and make something beautiful I believe He can turn a pagan holiday into a perfect opportunity to share His love with folks who we might not otherwise reach. I know my Christmas card list is full of distant friends and relatives who only hear from me once a year…but when they do it is always a message of our Messiah and how He alone can give us salvation. With a bit of creativity it can be a great opportunity to evangelize! I enjoy the scents and sounds as well-
So Merry Christmas,
Jessica 🙂
on November 27th, 2005 at 7:02 pm
I see what Jen and Ann Marie are saying but….
Well, I do love lots of things about Christmas. I love the music and I love the family time. I love making cookies and reading Christmas stories. There is just something special about the whole Christmas season. IT IS ALL ABOUT JESUS for me!
I don’t let the artificial “Happy Holidays” Seasons Greetings and “Merry X-mas” take away my focus. It is disheartening, yes, to see how commercialism has moved in and has taken Christ away from the birthday celebration of the King of Kings.
Shouldn’t we as TRUE Christians be some kind of an example. Should we not share the joy around this season…..to light the way to the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior……. I think if we can stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas than it can be a rather pleasant time for all. We make Christmas what it is… Jesus is the Christmas we all need to seek and find. Who will show Him to our children. Should this really be a time to dread and not look forward to? Yes, the gift giving can be a bit much. We’ve struggled with that and we have learned to KEEP IT SIMPLE. The angel trees are a great substitute for giving to those that are in need in the place of someone who truly does not need anything, if that is something you wish to do. But even that is not necessary. We don’t buy above our means but than again we don’t do that the rest of the year either, so it is basic financial principals for our family.
I don’t dread Christmas because I’ve always seen it as a family time. A time to worship together. It has always brought our family closer to Christ and to each other. Reading the Christmas story from God’s word has never tired for us. We look forward to it. I had a great example of Christmas with my own mother who found so much joy in this season. I have to say that was when my mom was happiest. I think it was all the preparation and the anticipation for us — for her family. That was her gift to me — herself. Just as Christ is to us. Money was never abundant but the Lord always provided.
In the past we have each made or purchased a small inexpensive (think $ tree!) gift for each member of the family.
Let’s practice our multiplication tables — 7 x 7 = 49. That was 49 gifts under the tree and than there were the ones from family members and a few friends that we are close to. That was WAY TO MUCH and not at all what dh and I imagined Christmas to be for our family. So we are going to go even simpler this year. This year our family of seven have picked names. We each will buy or make a gift for one member of our family. Any extra gifts are optional and not encouraged. We are also debating a family gift that can be used all year like Dollywood passes – but that will depend on weather the Lord provides the finances for that. We also enjoy making cookies or other treats for our neighbors. Just to let them know they are special to us.
I think we all need to find what we want our Christmas to be and go from there. I know that it has been a sort of blessing not having immediate family here. That has taken away much stress.
That is why I am proudly displaying my Christmas magnet that I officially won from Jeneric Jeneralities. So Jen — do not say NO to the Christmas season. Embrace it and seek the joy and peace of the season. It should not be a stress filled time. It should be a time to rejoice and worship the baby in the manger.
So Jen, Is that what you wanted to know? ajkdfesifhdifuhfiusdfidsaufhsdaifuf
I hope you are NOT getting sick. I hope you are having lots of fun. I hope you have a safe trip back home. I hope you will visit me and come see my Christmas tree (which I’m not stressed about because my children decorated it all themselves.)
I hope I have not said to much……..
Be blessed!
Maria
on November 27th, 2005 at 7:17 pm
Dearest Jen…
perhaps your sleepy times are your body’s way of playing catch-up. It sounds like you needed that good rest.
As far as sort of having the downers about this lovely season…keep your pretty eyes focused on the why’s and do NOT let yourself get caught up in all the stuff. It can happen and be upon us before we even know it. Make sure you set the example in your home of a joyful heart even if it is not just yet joyful:-) I am sure that you will soon find that little spot of hidden joy that is missing in the simple smiles of your dear children or in those beautiful snowflakes. Bundle up and take a nice walk outdoors to refresh both mentally and physically.
I am adding an article I wrote a month ago and it is taken from my online newsletter “A Beautiful Keepers Sampler” I pray it blesses you and confirms what is in your heart…!
Love, Peggy Hostetler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not to be Busy… on Purpose
This time of year many of you are thinking of holidays.
Could this be the year when you set out to purposefully not get all fluffed about all those invitations to here and there, to wondering if that credit card will hold all the gift purchases, not worry if my table will be perfect enough for company…you know the list goes on. The feelings of dreading another holiday to even come. How sad are we, that we have gotten ourselves into such a fret.
You all have heard this type of thing from someone I am sure. It is becoming quite common for ladies to talk this way I have noticed.
I have pondered the reasons and wonder if it is not because we bring these feelings upon ourselves. We hustle and bustle to keep up with what other families’ children are getting, plan our calendars brimming full, shop till we drop and wonder later how we will pay for it, bake 7 kinds or more of cookies, etc. Perhaps it is because our own children have imposed this upon us and we feel quilt, our in-laws do not understand that we do not put a high emphasis on lots of gifts or is it the screaming of commercialism has just gotten so far into our heads that we are now in the eye of this storm.
I can only pray that you girls are not feeling this strain, but if you are, have I got news for you sister! It does not have to be this way nor continue this way.
Take time to change on purpose. To diligently pull away, to seek shelter and rest and to be renewed this year instead of burdened.
What new traditions can you add to your remembrance day and which can you take away?
Which ones are worthy of your thoughts and truly honor Christ?
For our family we are going to take the time this year to do a symbolic advent wreath. While this is very new for me, I am seeking to learn. This may be a tradition you already have established in your home and if so I am sure it has given you great peace.
Create some your own traditions of quiet, peace, rest, rememberance and joy!
Won’t you strive this year “not to be busy… on purpose”?
Peggy Hostetler
http://www.womanofsimplicity.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ABeautifulKeepersSampler
on November 27th, 2005 at 7:21 pm
I LOVE Christmas!
I love that people’s hearts are soft to the things of God at this time of year like no other time of year! Either they are caught up in the emotions of the season (albeit artificially) or this time of year makes hurts all the more evident. Not that I like for anyone to hurt, but I covet opportunities of openness in which to share the message of Christ. I love that people are open to hearing about Jesus – no matter what the reason!
I love having the opportunity to write a Christmas letter (though sometimes it gets put off until Easter) and share with my not-yet-Believing friends and family of the blessings in our lives and the gifts which have come only from our Lord – esepcially in the “hard” years. What a blessing to have an “excuse” to share such things! Perhaps only a few still read what I write, as our letters are heavy on attributing all we have back to the Lord. But that’s a few seeds planted!
I love purposely taking roads with toll booths, which I usually try to avoid, just so we can hand out candy canes to the toll booth operators with the legend of the candy cane attached and an enthusiastic “Merry Christmas”!
I love that my six-year-old is absolutely, positively determined to rid the world of Santa and tell EVERYONE the TRUE meaning of Christmas! We have to work on the delivery (telling people NOT to celebrate Santa puts them off a bit), but her heart is in the right place 🙂
I love that this one time of year my mother’s home is full of nativity scenes and the name of Jesus filling the air in Christmas carols – and she doesn’t get offended by a birthday cake for Jesus, even though she would any other time of year. Another seed planted – maybe watered….
I love the walk through Bethlehem at a nearby church – no little drive-thru nativity scene! An entire street block depicting the town of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth!
I love to carefully and thoughtfully choose good gifts for each person on my list (when I might otherwise forget to be so thoughtful the rest of the year) – just as the Lord Himself has showered me with His good and perfect gifts. I love to GIVE gifts!
I love opportunities (when we’re part of a church body – which we aren’t this year after relocating) to invite neighbors and friends who don’t go to church to church musicals, programs, etc. Neighbors and friends who may never come to church for any other reason will come if they know my little one is singing, etc.! Seeds planted…seeds watered….
I love excuses to buy up boxed mixes on sale at the grocery store and take a plate of brownies or muffins to a neighbor. Can’t beat the sales at the grocery store this time of year!!! I can stock up and take plates to friends and neighbors well into the winter at these prices! Seeds planted…seeds watered…
I love that though no one around me may really understand the meaning of Christmas – this time of year reminds me of the miracle and of MY PART in sharing that miracle and truth with them. What a PRIVILEGE!
I LOVE CHRISTMAS!
on November 27th, 2005 at 7:55 pm
I completely understand that feeling, Jen…
it is sort of depressing to see people only set one day aside to honor Christ, even if much of what the world does is empty and based on works instead of true devotion. I personally love some of the ‘traditions’ of the holiday… wreaths, the smell of cinnamon and cookies baking, and pine… those are homey and cozy things that we recognize as occuring during the Christmas season.
Christ does not ask us to go and hit the malls on Black Friday, or attend every open house and party, or indulge in wanton spending excesses. He only asks that we stop tending the sheep long enough to come and gaze into the manger and worship Him as the King He is…:-)
Perhaps I can give you a suggestion…you could do what we do, and have done for over a decade.
Get away from the Roman based/Gregorian calendar celebration of Christmas and Easter, and celebrate closer to God’s feasts and festivals. We celebrate Hannukkah (no, we are not Jewish…but feel observing God’s holy days are more meaningful) as our Christmas… the light of the world was born unto us that day in the City of David.
We always do a Jesse Tree (for 12 years now!) and learn more about the prophesies and family tree of Jesus.
And this year, a perfect way to introduce a new tradition would be to adopt one of the hurting and suffering families devastated by the hurricanes this year. This would be a wonderful way to get your children used to giving instead of receiving. And what a legacy you would be building in your children! 🙂
If anyone asks what you want for Christmas… tell them to contribute to the adopted family fund.
And keep smiling.. the world needs people to smile at them and tell them what this holiday is really about…:-)
Joyfully His,
Carla K. <><
on November 27th, 2005 at 8:56 pm
Merry Christmas!
Hi Jen, um, I am sorry you don’t like the holiday—I have mixed feelings about it too. The expectations can really cause a downer, but I really think you are going to have a wonderful holiday this year. Celebrate all the blessings this year has been and new things on the horizon. I know how much you love the Lord and I know you will be able to keep perspective.
BTW, I think there is always the possiblility that there is another reason you are tired…..LOL. And, there was a winner in the baby name contest, so you better stop over and see!
love you,
Nancy
on November 27th, 2005 at 9:04 pm
Hmmmmmmmmm………..
could sleepiness be from being “PG”??????? the earler preggers make mommies very sleepy……………..????????????????
I almost became nauseous back in October around here when Christmas stuff was already being put out for sale…………..honestly, have we no conscience from the almighty green……………….?
It really bothers me the commercialism of the season…………I have backflashes of all the “futuristic movies” from the 70’s and the 80’s when I go in stores after September each year………….it’s scary almost.
So glad y’all had snow for Thanksgiving………..isn’t it cool to see something you really never see?
Harriette
on November 27th, 2005 at 9:17 pm
Perhaps singing some festive carols would help.
Maybe “We Wish You a Merry Baby” or ‘God Rest You, Expectant JenIg.”
on November 27th, 2005 at 9:44 pm
With ya babe!
So great minds think alike, for I just wrote a SHARE and Tell post on my blog about the holiday season as well… read it there, but know I share your pain! (and have a sister just like Gena when it comes to the holidays as well) tee hee…
Scrooged (just kidding!),
Amy
on November 27th, 2005 at 9:49 pm
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Hear, Hear to everything MARIA said!!! She is so balanced!!!!!!
on November 27th, 2005 at 10:51 pm
hi
Jen, thanks for adding me to your friends list. I love to have new friends.
on November 27th, 2005 at 10:57 pm
Well Scrooge…
I can be kind of put off by the commercialism stuff myself, but I really try to focus on the joy of God sending us a Messiah. My dad didn’t like Christmas and was very vocal about it. My mom loved all of the decorating and gift giving and went all out. It made for many very stressful Christmases growing up. On one hand I loved all of the special things, but then I kind of felt guilty about all of that excess because I knew it upset my dad. One year as a young teenager, I even asked my dad if we could do something different so that he would like Christmas again. He was kind of stunned, never answered me and things never changed, other than him trying to be less Scrooge-like.
So I said all of that to say, when I start feeling very Scrooge-like (I am my father’s daughter) I just try to block out the world and focus on bringing that joy into my home. We invite other families over to go caroling to our elderly neighbors. We try to get together with other Christian friends, rather than just the folks we’re kind of obligated to see. We enjoy the Christmas lights and talk about letting our light shine for others. We talk about how God used everyday normal parents like Mary & Joseph to raise His Son and how He can use each of us. We talk about how we would still be solely under the Law, if it wasn’t for Jesus. We have fun with hiding our gifts and the such like Trish talked about in the magazine and pretty much just try to create the type of holiday that we think is God honoring and full of happy memories. My kids know that I’m a bit of a Scrooge deep down because of all of the commercialism, but I hope to create happier memories of Christmas for them than I grew up with.
on November 27th, 2005 at 11:02 pm
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Thanks Mrs. Ig, once again you beat me to another blog idea that had been percolating all weekend! I’ll post it back home. Have a nice trip, maybe next trip we can meet you guys for lunch in Toldeo.
on November 28th, 2005 at 12:13 am
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My Christmas season has been much improved since:
1. I allowed myself to NOT send Christmas cards out– and no one even noticed!
2. We drew names on my side of the family…and now the guys aren’t doing that at all but us girls…we just love shopping for each other. So one gift for a sibling, and then my parents, and my sweet nephew.
3. Dh and I do not give gifts to each other. Usually there is something that we’ve been wanting like a laptop or a vacation sans kids that we’ll do/get earlier in the year instead.
4. Our poor kids don’t even notice that we don’t get them Christmas presents! Can you believe that?! Although I am making them a few things this year. Well, they’ve been the only grandkids on both sides of the family until last year so they’ve gotten plenty from the grandparents and my 3 sisters and one brother.
You’ve got plenty of kiddos Jen so let them do all the decorating and such. And Coie can make the cookies. You just sit there like a good momsie and read them some good Christmas stories while they do all the work. 🙂
on November 28th, 2005 at 9:06 am
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You sound like me! I just blogged something similar!
Merry CHRISTmas to you!!!!
on November 28th, 2005 at 9:31 am
I have hated commercial Christmas for many years now
Why? I have not made good choices. I am still in process of finding out what I need to change. Less gifts. No “shoulding” or letting people “should” on me. I hate that I’ve struggled with exhaustion for years now (not Christmas – just life), and Christmas has (or can have) such a great demand on it.
The only thing to do? Lesson the demand.
What do I want? A clean, modestly decorated home. Peace, NOT a flurry of activity including too much shopping for the wrong gift, just so as to have a gift. Time spent reading with the children. Visiting the less fortunate, nursing homes (year round, not just at Christmas — but especially at Christmas).
I would like to let loved ones know NOT to give us anything, but rather to donate to their local Rescue Mission in place of our gift. We need nothing.
I would, in turn, like to donate in their names. They need nothing, alike. That cuts out half the shopping. I would like to discuss with the children donating money re: their gifts. Ouch. But they need nothing! Perhaps a good book per child …
If we can get to this place, I believe Christmas would be much, much nicer. I bet our children would love a Christmas of a clean, orderly home, mom and dad at peace (not out shopping). In place of Christmas cards, I would like to make a list of all who would be on my Christmas list, and send out a few notes to each during the year — letting them know that I won’t be sending out Christmas cards anymore, but I haven’t forgotten them.
Christ was most likely not born on Dec. 25, but it is the time that the world seems to recognize his birth. Even though Constantine mixed up the pagan holidays with Christianity — and that bothers me — it is still an opportunity to spread the Gospel. It is a time when more are open to receive the message of Christ. I think that visiting prisons, or Rescue Missions, or anyplace where the needy gather – and let them know of the “Good News to All Men” message — is time better spent.
I’m not there, and I will be frustrated if I am still far from this place by the end of the season — if I get “caught up” in the commercialism once again.
Christmas — how we celebrate it is up to us. It’s a choice. If we hate it at the end of it all, it is because we didn’t spend it as we might have. But it (the commercialism) is also a web that is so easy to find ourselves caught in.
Praying we all have a blessed Christmas, ministering in the name of the Son.
on November 28th, 2005 at 9:54 am
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Well, I for one think that you’re tired because you’re pregnant. Are you EVER going to come out and post it officially or must we all dance around the issue until you give birth??
~Jo’s Boys
on November 28th, 2005 at 10:21 am
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I am going to throw you the BIGGEST blogging baby shower on the PLANET. I can’t wait for my new niece, DAISY!!!!!
on November 28th, 2005 at 11:18 am
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I actually love Christmas because I really love giving gifts and I uh really um li… love getting gifts also. But I too have stuggled with the stress of it all and have been working on how to destress it and make it more balanced. I also really try to teach my kids the meaning of what we are celebrating. I also detest the “Happy Holidays” crowd everywhere. My hubby and I refuse to respond with the detestable saying. We always say “and a Merry Christmas to you too”. Last year we started with celebrating advent and lighting the candles and reading a passage on sundays at dinner time. The kids really enjoyed that. This year my gift purchases are going to be very simple (of course lack of resources has something to do with it). It’s just a good idea for the kids to learn not to expect too much at Christmas. I also recieved a homeschool newsletter with information on how to put Christ in all the holiday symbols, with verses to read and projects to do. I may do somehting like that also. I’ll be writing a post on giving gifts to Jesus in a few days- please check in.
Now… off to start laundry and unpacking from our trip!
Susan
on November 28th, 2005 at 12:52 pm
No visions of sugarplums in your head…
I must say that I just love the Thanksgiving/Christmas season. There is something wonderful about the way people can gian humility through this time and allow you to serve them as Christ would, opening your home, preparing meals, enjoying fellowship and singing songs of worship (disguised as Christmas songs ;o).
This was the first year my hubby and I spent in a home that allowed us the space to invite several people over for a Thanksgiving dinner. However, I must admit that the decorating has not been so enjoyable! I had to re-string the tree about four times yesterday and felt as if I walked into a Christmas movie full of disgruntled parents (me being the main character!). We also have a banister in our home this year and I was so looking forward to decorating it but we are down to a large roll of wide, gold ribbon that looks like nothing more than a strip of painted gold when I wrap it around the banister. Perhaps if it were red it would at least appear to be an attempt at a candy cane banister.
I am also looking forward to baking…it is too hot in AZ to bake too much any time other than the winter, but there is a special invisible ingredient that makes the end result even better. I completely understand the scroogeness of those who expect and do not receive…I plan on adding a great satire from a book I was reading the other day about Christmas…you’ll really appreciate it, Jen.
on November 28th, 2005 at 3:16 pm
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Well, what can I say but “MERRY CHRISTMAS!!”. I like Christmas a lot but there are things about it that I don’t like. So, what was your plea? How do I avoid the Christmas drudgery? I guess it’s a lot like life – focus on the good and ignore or learn to live with what is bad. And what is this about a blogging baby shower? Have I missed something??
on November 28th, 2005 at 8:09 pm
My way to not get stressed…
is to not let things get me stressed by living up to others’ expectations. We throw a party, give some gifts, do lots of fun things with our church and with our friends, sing Christmas carols (sacred and secular), listen to Christmas stories (sacred and secular), bake cookies, celebrate Jesus joyfully. It’s a birthday party, isn’t it?
on November 28th, 2005 at 8:46 pm
Did you come see the winning name yet, Huh?
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ByHisGraceInColorado/48529/
It just isn’t the same until you come and grace my blog with your presence.
Sigh.
(presence, not PRESENTS~ok?)
I think I already commented on CHRISTmas here…..but since you are ig-noring me, I thought I would come bother you some more.
me
on November 28th, 2005 at 10:23 pm
Hey…glad I stopped by here…
As you can see on my blog…I’m a little “up in arms” about CHISTmas as well!! I am just glad I’m not alone, even if I am IRL!! 🙁
on November 29th, 2005 at 2:50 am
What a crank you are!
“Christmas is pish posh.” said Jonathan Toomey. 🙂
Now Jen, do you expect our very secular culture to be celebrating the birth of *our* Savior? Even those who we would hold to be very spiritual (Pilgrims and many Puritans) did not celebrate Christmas or the birth of Christ at all but felt it was a Roman Church idea.
I just blogged about Christmas – funny you did too – but completely differently. I would love your thoughts.
Love,
Kate
on November 29th, 2005 at 6:54 am
Had that discussion yesterday…
…with MY mom! We were both ruminating over the hecticness and the hub-bub of extended family gatherings. We love our extended family and have lots of it in the near vicinity, but not everyone has a peaceful view of Christmas in mind. For most of our marriage we’ve had to be at three places at once on every holiday. As we’ve tried to simplify and calm down our Christmas, we seem to really upset family members, yet the ones that get upset aren’t the ones that are celebrating it because their Savior came to earth but because it’s TRADITION (insert Papa from Fiddler on the Roof here.)
I also have a reputation for trying to make homemade gifts for everyone, bake everything my mom and his mom ever baked plus the new things my family likes, string real popcorn and cranberry strings, etc., etc., etc. We sat down a couple of weeks ago and asked the immediate family (Dad, Me, Jo, Kate) what parts of our Christmas celebration is important to you? We saw lots of things that could be cut out because of that discussion!
So, we’ll purpose to simplify, and then practice saying “No, No, No!”
Kim 🙂
on November 29th, 2005 at 11:27 am
Irony.
A well-developed sense of irony helps a great deal in the “holiday-season-formerly-known-as-Christmas.” So does prayer.
For what it’s worth, I share your pain when it comes to spending (too much, by definition) money and the whole “present issue.” I love giving presents, though. I love doing something nice for people I care about. Unfortunately, all too often the giving results in attention I don’t desire and (worse) people trying to do the same for me. Ick. Attention.
I do love Christmas, though, and that helps to make the rest of it not so difficult. I love decorating our tree with my son and my husband, because doing so is like opening a time capsule (everyone reading this better go buy and read the fall issue of TOS Magazine) of memories from our family Christmases past. Once the tree is up, we sit around it and read the Bible and talk about the LORD. Keeping Him IN the season makes all the difference.
on November 29th, 2005 at 3:59 pm
Jen, have you taken a test yet?????
You know the suspense is killing all of your loyal blog readers. HAHAHAHA!!!! I will say that I have needed an afternoon nap every day since I returned from our trip to Florida last week. We drove 11 hours straight through on our way home, and I don’t think we looked quite as sad as King James. Bless his little heart!
Did you enjoy your visit with Spunky? I loved the pics that Kristin and Coie posted on their blogs.
Have a blessed day! Tami
on November 29th, 2005 at 9:05 pm
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In case you read this, I found a great evangelistic tool for Christmas! Visit http://www.livingwaters.com/christmas/#quiz
(they have some fantastic ideas to help make Jesus the focus of Christmas)
The Lord Bless you and yours,
-Jessica, a close friend of Duh-lyn’s 🙂
ps- I know your pain, I’ve had major mood issues lately but I’m not pregnant either!
on November 30th, 2005 at 3:48 pm
I hear ya!
I enjoy Christmas now that we stay home as hermits and not having to worry about going from family member to family members homes that day.
I enjoy it more when it is just our cozy family. I love all my other family and getting together with them… but it has be nice to start our own family traditions. We usually get together a week before Christmas at my grandmothers house where all the gifts are for all the children.
I hate shopping, so I stay home and knit stuff for people covered in prayer by my fireplace. I love to bake and make candy during this time to fill our tummies and to make the house smell yummy. We don’t worry about buying our kids presents because with all their grandparents there is no lack with toys and other goodies. I also like to bake extra for our neighbors.
Di
on November 30th, 2005 at 4:28 pm
I've not been a big fan of Christmas for many years…
and about 11 years ago started celebrating Hanukkah, too. When Rick and I married, we ditched christmas entirely. I have had much problem with the fact that Yeshua’s(Jesus) birth is being celebrated in the winter when He was not born then. There are no shepherds in the fields the end of December in the Bethlehem area. Most likely He was born at the Feast of Tabernacles which would also have been fulfillment of prophecy in His being Emmanuel – God with us. It would also account for there being no room in Bethlehem for them to find a room, and the tax assessments were at the times that the most people would be there and that would have been at one of the 3 feasts that all the males were to go up to Jerusalem. Anyway, I decided that I could not teach my children that our Redeemer came as a baby at a time of year that He didn’t. So I don’t. We have lots of fun with Hanukkah and the other feasts and they do not miss this overrated holiday. Oh horrors! Now I’m really WEIRD!
Love and shalom,
Serena
on December 1st, 2005 at 11:30 pm
Jen…
Just say no…
on December 13th, 2005 at 10:40 pm
Thank you
Hey, Ig!
It’s Ig in WA and thank you for saying how you feel about Christmas. I feel the same way. Bah hum bug. I WAS saying similar things a few hours ago. I’m ready to skip it all.
Marie Ig.
on December 13th, 2005 at 10:44 pm
Mandatory Comment being left here,hee, hee!
I keep getting an error message that says, “You must enter a comment.” Wow, is that how you get so many comments? You programed your blog to insist on comments. ROFL!
Actually I wanted to comment and thank you for your ba hum bug Christmas comments. I was just saying similar things, maybe in a different tone than your blog. Then again, how can I be sure what tone you were typing in for sure. LOL!
Okay, I hope the Comment Error Patrol is happy I’ve fulfilled my duty and have left a comment.
Marie Ig.
In WA