Sunday / December 18 / 2011
Are YOU ready for Christmas?
Tis the season to be asked over and over, “Are you ready for Christmas!?” It’s a seasonal question we pull out every year. Part of our comfortable, don’t-get-too-deep language; like asking, “How are you?” after you’ve said hello.
For the past several years, I’ve adopted a new outlook. When people ask, “Are YOU ready for Christmas!?” (with increasing panic as the big day draws closer), I respond, “YES!”
What does ‘ready’ really mean? For me, it’s not about baking, shopping, or decorating (although I love all three… made-from-scratch gingerbread houses topping the list, for certain).
It’s about the sense of wonder in the air. The expectant look in a child’s eyes. The shared memory-making family moments. The beautiful mystery of the birth of our Savior.
Further, it’s about smells, sights, and sounds. Living in upstate New York, there’s a crispness in the air you can smell. Not to mention the aromatic delights of evergreen, gingerbread, and hot cider.
I love Christmas! I get giddy!!
Christmas is about my son Grant coming home for the holidays. It’s about waking up on Christmas morning whenever 16-month-old Brody determines it’s time for us all to get up, and smiling because I’m surrounded by my whole family. It’s about sharing sentiments while partaking in the tradition of opłatek.
My family has a beautiful, Polish Christmas Eve tradition that includes oplatek and homemade pierogies. I made dozens of them last year and they were amazing! But following my spirit of “you can’t do everything!”, they may be Mrs. T’s frozen (delicious!) pierogies this year.
Do I have all my shopping, baking, and decorating done? Nope. But those aren’t the things any of us will remember this time next year.
I’m “ready” because I’ve embraced the season.
I’m “ready” because I choose to relish the moments leading up to Christmas.
I invite you to join me. Don’t get lost in the hustle-bustle craziness, only to find come December 26th, you never really had a Christmas.
Are you ready for Christmas?
Awesome Donna!! Merry Christmas to all of you 🙂
Thank you, Sue! Merry Christmas to you, too!
Love,
Donna
Exactly—-My answer is always YES!!!!!
That’s great. I love it, Dawn!
Love,
Donna
Perfectly said, Donna!!! Have a wonderful Christmas!!
Kelly
Thank you, Kelly. Merry Christmas to you, too! And remember to relish every moment.
Love,
Donna
Wonderful Donna!
I feel as though the line ‘Don’t get lost in the hustle-bustle craziness, only to find come December 26th, you never really had a Christmas’ was written JUST for me!!! Truly had that feeling the last few years and have been determined to change that.
Mrs T’s pierogies are DELISH, I heart them! Best wishes for continued success in 2012 and enjoy your Christmas celebration.
Barbara
I love your determination, Barbara. And indeed, it will pay off. Stay strong!
Mrs. T’s pierogies ARE delish… especially with friend onions. YUM!
Wishing you peace, joy, wonder, and fulfillment this Christmas.
Love,
Donna
Thank you Donna, wonderful entry reminding us of the important things! I figure if a guest at our home on Christmas notices a ‘dust bunny’ in the corner, or the disarray of furniture to make room for the tree; they’re there for the wrong reason!
Merry Christmas & God Bless you & yours!
Or, may I suggest they may be thinking, “Oh thank goodness I’m not the only one!!”
It’s never the “stuff” that makes the memory list. It’s the experiences. Enjoy each one.
Merry Christmas to you, too. And God bless you!
Love,
Donna
Wow!
What a great reminder.
What a refocusing on what’s truly important about the Christmas season.
The excitement and magic of Christmas runs all the way through this post, Donna. I have no doubt what you’ve written here will make a positive difference in the lives of some of your readers.
I love the picture you paint of the holiday season you enjoyed in the past and the one you enjoy today.
You REALLY know what Christmas is all about. Thanks for sharing this with us, Donna.
All the very best to you and yours this Christmas season.
Thank you so much, Rick. I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from this post – and even some “thank yous” for the reminder.
It’s not about how much we do, it’s about why we do the things we do and with what attitude!
Love and Merry Christmas,
Donna
Thanks Donna! Great Post!
Merry Christmas!! Enjoy every minute with your family.
I’m looking forward to it too!
Carrie
Thanks for joining me, Carrie! Merry Christmas to you and your precious ones, too.
Love,
Donna
That was an incredible read Donna, cause i hate Christmas cause it changes people. They get caught up in what Christmas isnt about. You nailef it in the true meaning of Christmas. Have a beautiful holiday season.
Thank you so much, Tim. I understand what you’re saying and I know you don’t hate Christmas, just what society has made it. Keep believing, my friend. Keep embracing the true gift of this beautiful, precious and holy celebration. It matters and so do you. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Love,
Donna
You have such an amazing gift to put thoughts to pager. Thank you for sharing. It was beautiful.
Thank you so much, Jonathan. I find joy in writing and it brings me joy to know it spoke this way to someone so close to me.
Love,
Donna