Christmas Prep.

It amazes me to see how much we can accomplish when we put our minds to it. This time of year we do everything we usually do ( work, laundry, cleaning, cooking) and we add to it many other things ( Christmas cards, holiday shopping, tree trimming, parties and Christmas programs) . The list is endless and we seem a little stressed, but somehow get it all done. We add extra devotional time, advent readings and advent wreathes. God wants us to journey with him all the time and we manage to do a better job of it amid all the hustle and bustle. Why??

Are we lazy the rest of the year? Do we just find our feeble excuses too compelling to defy them? What must God think of us the rest of the year?

I think that God is not the only one who falls short other times of the year. We give more to charity during the holidays, we visit the elderly during the holidays, and we make an effort to get in touch with our relatives. These are all things that should be done on a regular basis and are not. What example are we setting for our children? Too often we let someone else do it. Who is the someone else and did they get the memo?

This Sunday I am starting a new tradition. In our family we put the tree up gradually. On Sunday we will officially light it after our family and friends join us for caroling around the neighborhood. We will visit some elderly and some other friends spreading Christmas cheer. When we return to top the tree with the angel and light it up with cocoa in hand the tree will be all the more beautiful and meaningful.

I think that the next few blogs will discuss some of our other family traditions. Everyone needs to try to add a new superpower. Add a new tradition that centers around people besides you. You will be a little closer to your inner "superhero".