I shouldn't be writing this. I shouldn't be up. I should be in bed.
We have a tree now. It is sitting in a bucket of water, leaning against the front window, of course undecorated. We have three baskets of decorations, for tree, shelves and table, half unpacked, in the middle of the living room floor. The advent wreath, with blue candles unlit, is sitting on the far edge of the dining room table, amid papers, coffee cups and assorts decorations.
The creche is fully up. Mary, Joseph, Jesus are there, as well as a camel, three wise men (they look like kings), a cow, a shepherd (not looking nearly unsavory enough, if you ask me), and one lonely lamb.
There are five stockings hung by the fireplace, for us, for the boys, and for Scout.
I shouldn't be up. I should be sleeping, and preparing for the big final push to Christmas. The last-chance, lowest-price sales, the grocery shopping for french cut green beans, Swedish meatball mix, Swedish sausage, cheddar cheese, sour cream and Southern style frozen hash browns, the last-minute brillliant sermon ideas for Christmas eve, and the calls to youth readers to proclaim prophesies at the family service.
I am not ready for Christmas. But ready or not, Christmas will come. This is my fear.
It is also my hope.
12 comments:
You and me both.
I have my tree up, but virtually no shopping done.
Do you think that's a problem?
I also have four bulletins to create between now and next Monday... plus a bunch of other administrative stuff. Oh, yeah, and a few sermons/ meditations.
But it will come... thanks be to God!
Pax. C.
Diane, do try to get some rest, sleepless virgins with oil lamps notwithstanding.
Vocatus at que non Vocatus Deusadent... Bidden or not, God is present Diane.
It must feel overwhelming at time, but you are carried on the wings of angels always.
If it makes you feel any better, I have done almost no shopping and I frittered my weekend away in California.
It was good to be away, but I too have missed my blog community very much. Thanks for letting me know how much you missed me.
Pax my sister.
I'm right there with you...
of course I was saying on Sat. that life was slowing down and I had a moment to breath...and then I said, I know from experience that moments like these are brief and before we know the intensity of life ratchets up again...
and, it did.
sigh. at least Christmas will come, ready or not. and all will be well.
Here's hoping that you find some time in the coming week for some rest and enjoyment of the holiday season, though I know that is nigh on impossible for folks in your profession. Hoping for it anyway!
Wishing you rest and moments of joy and peace as Christmas approaches.
Diane, I have done no shopping, but I don't have much to do. As my grandchildren age, they want money. For the little ones the mothers help with the shopping. The adults in the family don't exchange gifts. Our Christmas is much simpler than it used to be.
I have my wee Charlie Brown type tree overdecorated, but it stays decorated. I cover it with a big plastic bag and uncover it and carry it down and - Voila! - Christmas tree.
And, of course, I'm retired - which is a help.
Get some rest, my dear.
Frozen Southern Style Hashbrowns? Must be southern Minnesota because down here they're made from corn and they call 'em grits.
The last week before Christmas is always a hectic one. Hang in there, you'll make it.
Because of my husband's allergies, we bought a fake tree this year. With built-in lights. I've always fought it, and watched B suffer through. But this year, we just bent down the branches and it was ready to go. I miss the smell, but it did make things easier...
I hope you find some time to rest.
dear diane,
i am catching up on your blog today- thursday- and we still don't have a tree. haven't brought down the bins of decorations. i made some cookies, but... and we have most of the christmas cards we've received hanging, and there are two decorations lovingly made for us that are thrown here and there. today and tomorrow personal christmas prep will catch up.
course i have to memorize two monologues... sigh.
one of my parishioners said a few weeks ago, the baby will be born no matter what.
right.
thank God.
love, more cows
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