Balancing on a balance beam is difficult. Not that I would know personally. Gymnastics requires balance and flexibility both of which I possess precious little of. I have a horrible gymnastics memory of standing petrified up high on the uneven parallel bars refusing to do the penny drop, I digress.. My only knowledge of gymnastics comes from watching the gymnasts on the Olympics, which I find extremely stressful. Invariably someone falls because like I said, it's difficult.
I'm finding it's the same way with balancing the jolly holiday Christmas with the Silent Night, Holy Night Christmas. It's difficult. But there has to be a way to balance Christmas activities with the real meaning. I would say I'm somewhere between ELF and a new favorite blogger who seems to exude tranquility 24/7 at her house. I'm sure that isn't the case, but her website would suggest otherwise. I have traded the chocolate candy advent calendar for an advent devotional book, The Greatest Gift. I'm finding the devotion is indeed helping me focus myself and my children on the beautiful story of Christmas even though I'm missing Day 3 and Day 6 ornaments! I hope this isn't a trend. We also suggested to our youngest kids that they choose a gift from the Joy of Sharing catalog at church to replace of a gift for themselves. It was interesting to see their choices. Our son chose to give the most expensive gift, my youngest chose to give the least expensive gift and my oldest chose the sheep because she likes animals. I think I have really confused my children this year because when I started to put up the Christmas tree, my son said," I thought we weren't going to do all that."
But I do want to give gifts. I am a gifter. I love finding the perfect gift for people, especially if they didn't know they wanted it. Yes, Black Friday has turned into an ugly display of consumerism that has nothing to do with Christmas, but isn't there something in between? And what about Christmas cookies and Christmas movies and candy canes? There is incredible fun and joy at Christmas time as we spend time with precious friends and family. There is also joy in giving. God is a gifter too! He invented giving and gave us the desire to give to others. I can tell that He enjoys giving and He in fact gave us the very best gift of his one and only son, the perfect gift we didn't know we needed.
It's true, no cookie exchange or Christmas light display can compare to going to the Christmas Eve service at our church with all the candles lit, singing Silent Night altogether in worship of Jesus. And this year, my son will be lighting the Advent Candle which will add another element to the service for me, hopefully the awe and wonder of Jesus and not fear of a fire catastrophe! Christmas is absolutely all about Jesus Christ being born in a manger so that he could grow up to give us himself to be our savior. There is no greater reason to celebrate!
I think I'm getting closer to finding balance, but it's only December 12th and my two young adorable grandchildren have yet to arrive at my house! Their cuteness can be overwhelming and I have loved picking out gifts for them, but I've refrained so far from going overboard with gifts I can buy. I mostly hope to find ways to point them to the manger where Jesus Christ came into the world which is the very best gift I can give them.
