A Purposeful Christmas

Strep Throat is the devil.

I spent the week- the entire week- before Thanksgiving in bed.  Unable to talk, it was an unexpected way to see my Red Cross certified babysitter in action with his younger siblings!

Even after I was off my “death bed”, energy was in short commodity.  We spent the last days before Thanksgiving reading books on the covered porch of the teeny cabin that is our family’s place of respite.  Each child brought a favorite, Over the River and Through the Wood is a sturdy board book, so it was safe even in little Clara’s lap.  The kids each chose a favorite breakfast to learn to cook and I supervised from my resting spot on a nearby barstool.

And on Thanksgiving Day, I gave thanks for Strep Throat.  It slowed me down enough to enjoy these simple things with my family.

I am also thankful Christmas is coming.  I heard a quote this morning, “What if the most important, life-changing, world-changing, universe changing, most joyous thing of all time were on the verge of arriving?”  Remember- that’s what we’re celebrating!  Jesus was born, snuggled, swaddled, and laid in a manger.  Emmanuel- God with us.

I think most Americans have an unbalanced view of the Christmas season. We feel obligated to the loud, glittery part of the story.  We run around shouting the angel announcement, “GlorytoGodinthehighest! AndonEarth, peaceandgoodwilltomen” – so rushed we can’t appreciate the meaning of our own lives.  We hurry from kids’ cookie exchanges to pictures with Santa to parties we’re hosting… Don’t forget to squeeze in a visit to a live nativity, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, help the children make special gifts for family, see The Nutcracker and shop for Secret Santa at work, buy an angel tree gift… and that’s just the to-do list up until this part of the month!

The angels didn’t appear to the shepherds to set a precedent with their amazing display!  They served a purpose.  They led men in need to the “important, life-changing… most joyous thing of all time…” to a baby in a manger.

Purposeful parenting this month means choosing what makes it to your calendar.  It’s about having enough time to enjoy peace on earth and to extend goodwill to men, starting with your own family.  Merry Christmas.  Make it count.

This article was originally published in The Creekline.