Again.
Well, I did it. Got all my shopping done just in the nick of time. This year I had to Federal Express my out-of-state gifts because of my hectic life.
Is it worth it???
Sometimes I just don’t get it. I was at the mall today watching. Observing. People rushing here. Rushing there. Running to get in front of the line ahead of the the people walking up to the register at the same time.
People in the parking lots cussing and cursing at the guy that drove in front of them and got that primo spot.
Traffic honking and slamming on their brakes and people driving and shopping all in a frantic stress and rush to get their "shopping lists" completed.
Why? Is this really what it’s all about?
I don’t think so. But there I am, every year, right in the middle of it all. Promising myself that NEXT year will be different. I tell myself that in October I’ll talk our family into doing Christmas "different"…no gifts to each other…at all…just giving gifts to people that have absolutely nothing.
Oh, sure. We give to others every year. I put money in any hand out I see. I tip 25% to the waitors and waitresses that work hard this time of year and still smile during it all. I smile at the old people that seem lost in the middle of it all.
But I just can’t seem to escape the frenzy and craziness of it all. I hate it. I don’t think Jesus meant for a society to run around like this at this time of year. All in His name? No. I don’t think so. I think society forgets Him in the middle of it all and in the middle of their own Christmas list of wants and needs.
Sorry. Just the world I see it through my eyes today.
And what’s up with "Happy Holidays"???? ForEVER it’s been "Merry Christmas"! Why does everyone have to so politically correct and so afraid of offending the guy that doesn’t claim Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior?
Believe what you believe and STAND UP FOR IT. No MATTER WHAT.
The bible says we’ll have to someday…at the risk of our LIVES. So why not practice it NOW for goodness sakes?
Just a few words about all this today because being out in society this time of year tests my Christian attitiude towards my fellow mankind. People are just so rude and pushy and thankless this time of year. And very few people LOOK like they believe in God out in the shopping world.
So.
How about all of THAT!!??
Didn’t mean to write this today. I really just meant to post a few photos of my favorite ornaments—yes, the other tradition that seems silly when I stop to think about it. Decorating my house for a month with tons of decorations while the homeless people have no bed tonight. Yep. A BILLION dollar industry.
Eeeks. I better stop here. THAT’S a whole new soap box.
Pottery Barn loves me, nonetheless.
Amen! I agree! Christmas is very hectic. And the true meaning gets lost in the hecticness of it all. I think I need to reevaluate it all myself for next year. I’m very stressed every year! There must be more to it all than THIS! Thanks for your words.
I love that pottery barn jar!
I could have written this….well everything except the pottery barn bit. :) LOL! Miss you my, friend – Merry Christmas!
I completely relate! it’s madness! And I feel so depressed after it’s all done! I love the family time. I hate the commerical-ization of it all though.
Well said. Thanks for sharing my very thoughts!
B.
Our family stopped doing adult gift exchange about 5 years ago and none of us has had a single regret. We buy only for the kids. Shopping is truly fun and stress free now which makes me feel like getting out and getting it done early.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, Teri!
Agreed! We do gifts that are homemade. The kids get involved. We started this out of neccessity a few years back during a financial crunch; now that we can afford to purchase lavish gifts, we still don’t. Everyone in our family looks forward to our homemade edible goodies placed in pretty homemade decorative jars and baskets and cans. It’s so rewarding and really feels like Christmas.
Not to mention that I only purchase ribbon and a few little things to decorate the gifts with. NO SHOPPING!
I feel your pain. I was once there. No more. I said “stop the craziness!” and it feels so freeing!
God Bless you and your family.
G.
you are right on
love you!
no kidding! me too! whatever happened to NICE people in the world? more people need to act like Jesus is real!
great post!
gretchen a.