Back in October I was dreaming of a white space Christmas. Just like the ones I used to know. (See what I did there?)
It wasn’t all that white, y’all.
I had a week of Holiday Market. We attended a black tie event in Charleston. We moved. We had an entire house to unpack. And then Todd and I were in the Singing Christmas Tree at church, which was one of the highlights of my whole year.
But here we are on December 17. I still need to put the stamps on my Christmas cards so I can mail them. My tree is up but doesn’t have a topper. I went to Hobby Lobby to get ribbon to make bows for all of the gifts I need to wrap but I couldn’t find the kind of ribbon I wanted.
So guess what. I’m mailing those cards. And I’m wrapping those presents and leaving the bows off of them. I’m not going to worry about finishing decorating my house.
I will not add another little thing to my calendar or to-do list. We will eat soup and chili and grilled cheese sandwiches. We’ll have lazy evenings watching our favorite Christmas movies.
This precious month is zooming by and I need these last seven days to soak it up. And right now, for me, soaking it up doesn’t mean crossing off the list of traditions. It’s just being here and being still. Listening to my boys and staring at the Christmas tree. Letting them sit and watch the train go around and around the base of the tree as many times as they want.
Accepting the reality of this season of our lives and reminding myself that perfection isn’t life-giving is what I’m trying to learn. Despite trying to plan for a clear December, it didn’t happen. It never does. And even trying to have a completely intentional December didn’t work out too well for me either.
But it’s never too late to celebrate the gift of life that we received so long ago. I’m starting today.
I swear I think you somehow read my mind. I needed this SO badly. As I scroll through FB and Pinterest I feel like instead of it being fun or relaxing, I just continue to add stuff to my “I should be doing this…” list. Thank you, thank you for sharing your heart. Your words were just what this girl needed.
Grace is a good thing…especially this time of year. Enjoy some quiet, friend. 🙂
I feel the same way. We might get everything crossed off my Christmas Bucket List this year and that’s okay. It’s not worth it if doing all those things makes me rush around and act grumpy. I hope your first Christmas in your new house is super special! 🙂
Man, this is good stuff. You brought a WORD! “Perfection isn’t life-giving”…I’m gonna write that on sticky notes and put them all over my house, car, & desk! I have a 3 year old and a 3 week old and this season of life makes me incredibly thankful for God’s grace. I strive for perfection every single day and (of course) fail miserably. I needed this today…THANK YOU!
Perfection is not lie-giving. Amen! Our Christmas family gatherings begin this Saturday and will end on the Saturday after Christmas. And there is still much work to be done but also so much joy to soak up with my kids. I am kind of glad that this year I couldn’t get time off from my job the week of Christmas (I get Christmas Eve and Day) but I am off the whole week of New Years. It will give me much needed time to soak up and reflect on the season and year.
P.S. I love seeing glimpses of you all in your new home!
I completely agree! We’re missing the point by getting tied-up in our to-do lists. Here’s to simplifying for the holidays, and just living life!!!!
~Jennifer
I just wrote about this (in not such an elegant way) but yes, I agree this month has been crazy! I want to cross off traditions with my kids but I think what I REALLY want is to spend this holiday time together just being a family. Love your perspective!
Oh, AMEN, sister! I SO needed to hear this today. Sounds wonderful.
Great post! As I was sitting in the mound of gifts we finished wrapping on Saturday, I decided to say “no more” to the big bows I always put on our gifts. Some have them, some don’t and it’s ok. The important thing is that even though the shopping wasn’t all done by December 1st (I have this dream each year that it will be!), there are still a few decorations not out and some out-of-town gifts that aren’t going to make it on time, we’re embracing these last few days before Christmas during this magical time of the year.