Christmas Prep and Landing...

Once upon a time, 7 years ago, I was pregnant and my due date was Christmas day. Despite the doctor's reassurance that I would have an early delivery, I wanted to be prepared... just in case. I found sites like www.organizedchristmas.com and www.flylady.net. Both had lovely journals to keep you organized, starting near the end of October.

It was fabulous!

I had all my gifts and crafts finished by the first of December. I had cards mailed by the 7th. I enjoyed all the festivities of Christmas without all the frustration. I do love Christmas! Every part of it. I love the music and movies (I do try to get through November without pulling them out, promise!) I love the snow when I don't have to drive in it. I love the lights in the neighborhood. And of course, most of all, I love that it is the celebration of Christ's birth. His birth, after all, leads to his death for our sins and brings about my salvation. I do love this time of year!

It was a blessing that I found those websites and followed their plans. Despite what the doctors predicted, Ethan was born at 3:01 AM Christmas morning. What a blessing, and truly my favorite Christmas! And was I ever glad that I had my home in order and nothing left hanging over my head on my 'to do list.'

The following 5 years I continued to follow the plan (somewhat, I never do anything quite how others write it out to be followed...) I enjoyed each Christmas with very little stress, food stocked in my pantry, gifts bought and wrapped, cards mailed promptly, and no waiting in long shopping lines at the last minute! Fantastic!

My son is turning 7 in a couple days. And somehow this year I let things slide by and didn't even look at that organizer once! And what happened? Well, the cards didn't get written out, so instead I ran to Costco and had photo cards done and tossed them in the mail in a hurry. Hardly time to even write a note on the back. And due to poor planning, I ran out of cards and had to simply e-mail a few greetings instead. Was it the end of the world? No. But not the way I would have liked.

Crafts... I am not that crafty. I have to steal ideas, and so this year I stole several fabulous ideas from incredibly gifted crafters. However, again, it was last minute. So I was cramming in the last couple of days before Christmas. Chocolate and peppermint all over my kitchen, Christmas ornaments being painted all over the house, fabric and needles in my dining room, baskets waiting to be filled in the living room. Chaos. It all came together tonight, but oh I wish I could have taken my time and enjoyed the process instead. Was it the end of the world? No. But certainly not the joyful time I'd looked forward to just a few weeks earlier...

Shopping... I love having those gifts planned and under the tree. I so enjoy giving a well thought out gift. This year I didn't have as much time and was shopping just about a week before Christmas. Was it the end of the world? No. But I missed out on enjoying the search for the perfect gift that makes me think of that person when I see it.

And now, house cleaning. I do love hosting and having people eat at my table. But I'm in a hurry to get the house ready for guests. I don't expect House Beautiful, but I also want a warm, welcoming home. If I don't find and trap all the dust bunnies, is it the end of the world? No. But not as peaceful for me as it would have been, had I been prepared.

I know it sounds like I'm really Type A and beating myself up a lot here. Well, I admit my type A is showing a little. I have never been organized with Christmas until I had to be. And it turned out to be a blessing. And this year when I let it go, though I know Christmas will happen and will be full of joy no matter how organized I am or am not... My peace and joy before the event has been lacking somewhat. Because I have been in chaos and not prepared. I haven't been able to fully enjoy and take part in the season like I had in years past.

God is a God of order. And I have come to appreciate that! I am a mom of 2 young men, my home isn't going to have perfect order. But a little time preparing sure makes a difference. Next year the planners will come out because I find that with planning and preparation, mama is a much more enjoyable personality! With a little preparation, we have more time to sit and watch Christmas movies, read a story, and play board games. Don't get me wrong, we've found some time to do some of those things. But I miss that extra time that I had the last few years.

Now for the good news, I did get all the crafts done, candy made, gifts prepared, and house picked up, today. Christmas Eve will have some necessities like baking for Christmas day, and making a birthday cake for my son, and last minute vacuuming! But I also will have plenty of time for some board games and a Christmas story or two! There is nothing so important that it will take me away from the time I get to enjoy with my family, tomorrow!

So how do you prepare for Christmas? Last minute hustle and bustle? Or with preparation and planning? I wonder, how do I prepare my heart for the Lord? Is He an afterthought that I have to hurry and say a speedy prayer here and there? Or do I make time to prepare for Him? Am I watching and preparing for His return? Or am I being lazy, putting things off, and figuring I'll get around to things later when I have time? If I can't take the time to prepare for a celebration of His birth, what else am I neglecting in spiritual things? And what can I do differently in the future? Here's to a new year, and a renewed heart to be seeking Him, preparing for Him, finding grace when I am lacking, and enjoying the process! :) Merry Christmas and Happy 2011!