workshop humming

The Christmas workshop is humming along here.

Projects are being checked off and hidden away.

And there are still several more to complete.

(Yes, those are the ingredients for that Peppermint Bark!)

I've been making quite a few cups of hot tea to keep me company in the wee hours.

And I've been enjoying these songs from Innocence Mission, just about my all-time favorite.  (They have several Christmas song on their web-site as free downloads, so you can enjoy them too!)  Each of the songs is simply beautiful!

Kids-made projects are well underway, with more fun in store over the next couple days.

The touches of the holiday are being enjoyed in many corners of the house.

And I feel ready. 

Ready to celebrate the Birth of Christ.

Ready to enjoy the present with my children and husband.

Yes, the present.

Which I am giving as my gift to myself.

This has been such a year of learning and growing and thinking.  I find that when I embrace each moment of present with joy, my life feels fuller.

So I am embracing these final preparations with openness to the present.

The cookie making.

The present wrapping.

The good-night kisses, and snuggles, and lullabies as young ones have trouble falling asleep in anticipation.

And I will be thankful.

To the Christ Child.  And His amazing Mama. 

And to our God of Love and Mercy.

Amen.

wintery

Oh, we've been enjoying an early start to a winter wonderland around here.

I love it, and all that goes with it.

The quieting of the neighborhood.

The plants and trees pulling on the heavy covers of snowfall, showing their subtle deep colors.

Our outdoor sacred objects decorated for this cold season of hibernation.

The pinkened cheeks and noses.

The piles of coats and boots and mittens and scarves dampened from fort building.

The hot chocolate following the time in the snow.

All of it.  I love all of it.  And am enjoying watching my children love it too.

The early cold this year, though, has also brought to mind the many who don't have a warm home to enter into, those whose blankets don't sufficiently warm them up at night.

As I find myself shivering a bit when dodging in and out of the cold, I let each shiver be the important reminder of the many without.  And that shiver is my call to pray at that very moment for God's mercy on those most in need.

Perhaps you can let any chill you have be a reminder to pray as well.

anticipation

The anticipation around here is palpable.

Nope, not anticipating the annual family run.  (We don't even really have an annual family run, but those tennis shoes sure don't know that!)

But anticipating St. Nicholas.

And Christmas.

And the next gathering that has Christmas cookies.

And the afternoon to play in the snow.

Which brings anticipation for the hot chocolate that follows.

Oh, yes, anticipation of all sorts abounds in this cozy house of ours.

My oldest son is particularly sensitive to anticipation.  He always has been.  Will have trouble falling asleep, will be over-the-top excited for any special happening around the holidays.  Hmmmm, sounds a bit like his mama I hate to admit.

So this year I am trying really, really hard to be calm and focused on the goodness and bounty of this Advent season as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. 

Like many, I find myself wrapped up in the have-to's and the must-do's that I forget that my time and energy during Advent is meant to be spent in thankfulness, prayer, and helping my children learn to do the same.

I want them to embrace the beauty of sharing the real gifts of time spent together, time spent making presents that are meaningful and heartfelt, and participating in traditions that feed our souls and faith-lives.

So this mama is praying. 

Praying for patience. 

Praying for calm. 

Praying to let go even a little of the house being just so for the holidays.

I've been visiting some women, Grace, Molly and Meg, who are trying to do the same in their own ways, and I am feeling inspired and empowered this year.

I also plan to share some of the meaningful traditions that shape our December and prepare us for celebrating that most miraculous birth, by that most amazing woman.

Please share what you try to do to celebrate this Holy season meaningfully.