Christmas may possibly be my favorite time of year. Although I do love spring, with a passion that only comes from living through the long, dark winters of the northeast. But Christmas, with its twinkle lights, sentimental decorations, anticipation of gifts, and the celebration of the birth of our Saviour? It's my favorite.
I didn't do many of the things that are typically "Christmas" to me this year. I didn't go all out decorating the house this year. I didn't spend hours and hours at the mall, finding just the right gift for each person on my list. I didn't spend weeks in the kitchen, making dozens and dozens of cookies to give away to all of our family and friends.
And sometimes, that was really frustrating. I wanted to be crafting the perfect garland to hang from our mantel. I wanted the perfectly wrapped presents set carefully beneath the tree, on the perfectly arranged tree skirt. (Hello, have you met my toddler?) As I thought more about it, I realized that the limitations pressed upon me by having two little ones, and a finite amount of energy, meant that I am finally learning to focus on the real things that matter at Christmas time. Plus, if I had the perfectly decorated tree, there never would have been a chance for Javi to bring us into the living room to show us the tree decorated with a stuffed monkey, three toy cars, a train and a bulldozer, hidden in the branches. Saying "Yay! Good job! Monkey in a tree!" :)
I spent a lot of time planning a family breakfast for Christmas. For just the four of us, and my brother Dan who is staying with us right now. I wanted it to be simple, delicious, and something that everyone would enjoy. I made this
sausage casserole, cinnamon buns (from a can!) and orange juice. It was perfect.
We always have a big family celebration on Christmas Eve, and I did my best to stop throughout the night and soak up the traditions. Lover's family clamoring for him to play Silent Night on the guitar. Everyone joining in and singing a rousing rendition of Feliz Navidad. Even the chaos that ensues from having 21 people, 11 of which are children under 10, in a very, very small apartment. It just wouldn't feel like Christmas with a lot of space, you know?
I was taken aback by how much work Christmas was this year. I got pretty discouraged about it at times. I went to bed so tired on Christmas Eve - all I wanted for Christmas was to sleep for days. But there were so many blessings. My kids were lavishly loved on by all of the family - and that makes me so happy. My sister in law graciously offered to host my side of the family, all I contributed was a salad. Lover took me out to look at Christmas lights, one of my favorite Christmas traditions.
Lover and I spent a lot of time talking about what we want Christmas to look like in our family. We settled on just stocking gifts this year, and that the gifts would be consumables. Javi was in seventh heaven with a stocking full of candy canes, applesauce, and fruit snacks. It was adorable. Oh, and coal in the toe of course! :)
We saved all year to purchase gifts through World Vision for Christmas. The kids aren't old enough to understand yet, but I so look forward to this being a part of our Christmas preparations; passing around a gift catalog, picking out gifts for others across the globe that will truly make a difference in their lives. I tell you this, not to brag, but to share how much that helped me when I was overwhelmed with the commercialism that surrounds Christmas.
It was a wonderful Christmas. Jesus was born. He died for us. He blesses us every day with family and friends. And that, my friends, is what Christmas is all about.
