Countdown-to-the-Countdown
I can't wait. All through October and November, I find myself in a countdown-to-the- countdown. I adore the fact that there are tiny bits of Christmas just starting to show themselves behind the Halloween aisle in Target. I think I mentioned in my last blog that I sometimes find myself wandering toward that very space, that tiny Christmas space in the store, when I feel a little. . . um. . .underwhelmed by October. My spirits are instantly lifted by a light-up penguin or the scent of cinnamon pinecones.
But I do hold back in one area: no Christmas music allowed until after Thanksgiving, and then ONLY Christmas music in the car until Christmas. (My kids are thrilled, let me tell you!) Just today, I heard Barry Manilow singing "Winter Wonderland" and Hall & Oates singing something Christmasey that I can't quite remember but. . . who cares! It was a mix of 80's and Christmas. Brilliant.
Now, my countdown-to-the countdown is almost over, and I can be officially in countdown mode. On December 1st, I can light our lights. On December 3rd, our Elf on the Shelf, Chester, is scheduled for his annual arrival, and I'm so excited to see him. We're not sure why he always shows up on the 3rd, but he does. The ping-pong table in the basement has been a flurry of wreath-fluffing and bow-making. It's almost time to deck my halls!
Advent. Countdown. A season of waiting for miracles. Ten years ago in December, I was eight-and-a-half months pregnant with Sam. Walking into church on Christmas Eve, Reverend SueAnn Schmidt stopped me as I was entering church. She spoke to me of Mary, and how seeing a pregnant woman at Christmas reminded her so vividly of Mary's journey, and what Mary must have gone through physically in her very pregnant state, traveling on the donkey, laboring in a stable. I think of this every Christmas Eve. Sam was born ten days later, on January 3.
I often wonder if this waiting that I love, this waiting for the waiting, is tied to my joy of ten years ago. Each Christmas since has been just as joyful, albeit filled with more energy, and I am definitely more aware of the wonderment of advent, of what is coming.
Mary gave birth to a King. We wait to celebrate the miracle. I can't help but see the joy in the ornaments, the gingerbread, the wreaths, the ribbon, the lights and the gifts, even if the wrappings of Christmas arrive earlier each year. Delight in the magic of the season. But hold off on the music if you can. It's totally worth the wait.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
~Luke 2: 7
me too, me too, me too! I am sure I have seen you in the Christmas section of Target in October!
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no doubt! or, I have seen you hiding in the cosmetic aisle in November. . .
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