Christmastime is Here!

Well, this is most likely my last blog for 2010. (Maybe not.) This is the first time in about a month that I've been able to relax and not think about all the rehearsals or performances that I have to work on and attend. Why is Christmastime so busy? Why do I constantly overbook myself during the month of December? Every year I have great ambitions about the amount of cookies I'm gonna bake, the amount of programs I'm gonna be a part of, the amount of shopping I'm gonna do, the amount of Christmas parties I'm gonna attend, etc. But do I ever factor in rest? Or spending honest, quiet time with God?

This year I've done a lot of online shopping. Mainly because I no longer have a working car. On Saturday I bought a bunch of gifts for family online and amazingly they arrived today. I've wrapped nearly all of them and as I sit back and reflect on my gift buying I suddenly realize that I am done Christmas shopping. When did this happen? How did this happen? See, I've been too busy to pay attention to making a list and checking it twice. But now I'm finished.

My family and I have also managed to make three batches of cookies in the past couple of weeks and we're planning on making another two batches by Christmas. I love cookie baking and decorating, but this year I feel like it was another chore that needed to be completed. These next two batches we make I'm planning on having fun when I make them. After all, Christmas IS almost here.

A highlight of this season has been the opportunity to watch Christmas movies with my sister and Mom. I love watching holiday movies. They're just so fun and special because we usually only see them at Christmastime. We've already watched A Christmas Story and It's a Wonderful Life (I love that movie), and tonight we're watching A Christmas Carol. (Sigh) Christmas movies are so sweet!

Finally, Jesus, He's what this season is all about. "Oh tidings of comfort and joy!" Life isn't really joyful without Him. Christmas wouldn't really be special without knowing that God came down to earth as a little baby because He loved me so much that He wanted to rescue me. Rescue me from the pain and terror of suffering a horrible fate. All because I sin. What an amazing birth He had. Tons of Angels sang to announce his birth, people from all over the town of Bethlehem came to see him, a bright star appeared and guided wealthy wisemen for over a year to his doorstep. Only God could make this happen. Only the Savior could have such an amazing birthday.

I love You Lord and I love Christmastime!