Christmas in October

One of the many ways that I try to ward off the hurry and chaos during the Christmas season is to do my Christmas gift shopping/making all throughout the year. I often buy things that I know a friend or family member would really like -- as I see it (whether that be May or October). My yearly goal is to have my gift buying and (ideally) wrapping done by Halloween. I have rarely met this goal, but I usually come close. Doing so affords me the time and luxury to truly enjoy the decorating and baking and reading and music and worship during the Advent season.

I love Christmas. More than anything though, I love making it meaningful. I feel frustrated by our culture's constant attempts to rob us of this meaning by focusing on the commercialism therein. Christmas is not about gifts. It's not about hurry or chaos or grumblings or credit card debt. It shouldn't be about obligatory gift-giving or the feelings of resentment that rise because of this.

Christmas is about Christ, His birth, and our celebration thereof. Giving and service and joy are all a part of this ... IF we purposefully make them. Otherwise, if you buy into our frantic and consuming culture, you will find relief on December 26th rather than nostalgia. Follow me as we lead into these Harvest and Advent seasons. Lord willing, He will guide our family into some beautiful moments of remembering and worshiping Him.