The. Big. Day. It’s only days away!
There’s a certain magic to the week before Christmas. All the anticipation watching the big day draw near on the calendar.
As the clock ticks down the time, I’ve been thinking about the differences between Christmas now and Christmas when I was a kid.
The connection between the Ghost of my Christmases Past and my Christmas Present is all in the anticipation.
As a kid in Christmas Past, I paged through the Sears catalog, gazing at all the things I’d put on my Christmas list, hoping I remembered to include all the essentials. Wondering which things Santa might bring to my house on Christmas morning. Looking at the fancy dress hanging in my closet that I planned to wear in the Sunday School program on Christmas Eve.
As an adult trapped in Christmas Present, the anticipation has morphed into something more akin to terror. There are craft projects that need to be finished, gifts that need to be wrapped, cards to address (oh geez, I forgot to buy stamps!), and cookies awaiting their moment in the oven.
When will it all get done???
Before I’m overwhelmed with all the to-dos, I remind myself to think of how I would feel about these things if I were eight years old again.
It’s easy to look back with the wisdom of age to all the things “I wish I would have known.”
And there are oh so many things I would love to go back and whisper in the ear of my much younger self.
But that street runs both ways.
Truly.
What do you wish you could remember from the magic of Christmases Past? Those nights when you feel asleep listening for the sound of reindeer on the roof? The times when remembering all the words (and the actions) to “Away in a Manager” was as stressful as it got.
What might that eight-year-old you whisper in your ear?
Would your eight-year-old self lose sleep over wrapping presents or would that kid be too busy ripping into that gift to notice if the edges of the paper were straight and the pattern matched up?
Would that kid worry about getting the cookies all baked? Or would she suggest not worrying…because isn’t it fun to eat cookies fresh out of the oven?
She’d probably tell me to bake them during Christmas dinner and then put out frosting and sprinkles and let everyone decorate their own…because wouldn’t that be SOOOO much FUN!!
What would that youngster whisper in your ear as you’re quilting, crocheting or knitting at top speed…trying to finish the scarf or afghan that was supposed to be done weeks ago?
She’d probably tell me to be sure to put the crocheting down and spend a little time each night looking at the lights on the tree…because they’re twinkly and beautiful and Christmas doesn’t last forever.
This Christmas, take a little time to touch base with that inner eight-year-old.
S/he’s in there.
And remember — ew lessons for getting through the holidays more happily are available online at teachable.com. I hope to see you there!!
Yes! I slowed way down this year and it’s been beautiful. Maybe I don’t have as many goodies on the Christmas Eve tray as in years past, but that’s okay: what’s there will still be tasty and enjoyed. I’m too busy enjoying this time with my girl to worry about it!