The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I think Christmas really is the most wonderful time of year. As I write this post, I am listening to Christmas music, my house smells like a fresh balsam tree (thanks to Bath & Body Works and their wallflower, you'd never know we have an artificial tree), and the lights on the tree and mantle are a-sparkling.

Most of my present-purchasing is finished. I've started sending Christmas cards to loved ones. And in the midst of the chaos that comes along with the kitchen renovation, our home is mostly decorated - this year inside and out (with a 36" lit wreath on the bay window and some lights on our bushes out front).

Of course, I still have a few final touches on the decorating, and one or two gifts to buy and most of them to wrap. But I feel like the planning and energy to get ahead this year has really paid off. I always enjoy Christmas. I love Christmas. But some years, I feel like I get so caught up in the commercialism and busyness that I forget to treasure and ponder the (as cheesy as it might sound) real reason we celebrate this holiday. This year, I find myself cherishing the celebration of Advent and praising God that he made Himself flesh and dwelt among us, the light of the world coming into the darkness (John 1) so that He could live a perfect life and one day go to the cross to pay the penalty for our sin, so that we may have fellowship with Him and eternal life. The mystery of Christmas.

Christmas this year has been a time of real reflection for me personally, through the Advent readings of Scripture and Christmas music/lyrics. I hope that it will be for you as well.