How I Almost Let Christmas Steal My Joy

Merry Christmas! As you read this I’m sure that you are well aware that Christmas is only six days away; which also means that there are only 12 days left in 2015! I honestly don’t know where this year has gone; all I know is that it went fast!

So are you ready for Christmas? Is your shopping done, goodies made, and gifts wrapped? Does answering all of those questions produce as much anxiety in you as it does in me?

Thanks to Amazon Prime (who happens to be my best and most loyal friend, by the way) I have all of my presents bought, and about half of them wrapped. As for having my goodies made, well, that’s a different story.

I thought I had it all under control and was in a good place. I had it all planned out that I’d get some of the Christmas goodies made today, do some wrapping tomorrow, and finish up the last of the baking on Monday. That would leave me Tuesday and Wednesday to prep for Chrismas dinner, and I’d be good to go. Sounds like a good plan, doesn’t it? Well, it was….until I got sick.

My hubby was home sick on Wednesday with some cold/virus that hit him like a truck. Sore throat, headache, fatigue–major fatigue–, and some minor congestion. Poor guy slept most of that day. He’s better now; still some slight congestion, but for the most part, he’s back to normal. I was hoping this virus would skip the rest of the family, but apparently not.

I started feeling bad on Thursday night, and by today, I’m off my feet. Seriously, I can’t do much more than walk from one room to another without needing to sit back down. My head starts hurting, and I’m immediately wiped out. My sweet hubby has informed me that I’m not to do anything but rest today, which is basically all I’ve done.

As I sat around this morning, I couldn’t help but think of all the things that I needed to get done, but couldn’t do. I found myself feeling anxious over the thought of going into next week having not accomplished all that I had planned for this weekend. I thought of the gifts that still need wrapped, the goodies that need made, and the groceries that I need for Christmas Eve and Christmas. And these thoughts were making me crazy.

I shared some of my worries with my husband, who quickly reminded me that what’s most important is our health, and that if I don’t rest today, I will end up up feeling worse. He also offered to go shopping for me this afternoon, which I gladly let him do. Can I just say that I am so thankful to have a husband who serves me so graciously? He truly is amazing.

i was just thinking this afternoon how easy it is to get so caught up in all the hustle and bustle of the holidays that we’re actually robbed of the joy that’s meant to be ours. I mean seriously, what is Christmas really all about? Is it about the gifts, and goodies, and the parties and the shopping? Or is it about our sweet Savior who came to this earth as a baby to save all mankind from their sins?

I hate the fact that I get so caught up in all that I think needs done, and I forget to rest in the reality of what this season is really all about. I forget to savor the sweetness and the joy that comes with the season, as I watch my kids buy gifts for each other, and for my husband and I, and I hurry my way through each day way.to.often. It’s always about moving on to the next thing rather than thrououghly enjoying the here and now.