5 WAYS TO REALLY 'EXPERIENCE' CHRISTMAS!
And a Easy Yummy Recipe- Don’t Miss It!
Usually, it is right around this time that the press
sets in...
You
know what I’m talking about – the ‘still have Christmas cards to send, gifts to
buy, cookies to bake, a house to clean and plans to make,’ press. It’s precisely at this time that tensions
begin to rise, intentions start to fail, focus begins to wane and joy starts to
sneak out the back door…
It’s right at this time, less than ten days before
Christmas, that we start to lose perspective…
In November, my husband and I welcomed a beautiful six
pound baby girl into our lives. To say
that we have been busy and tired would be a huge understatement. We are beyond blessed and excited to be a
family of four, but if I am being honest, keeping a super clean house, being
ready for Christmas and, well, even getting a shower on some days has proven to
be a challenge for me...
With that being said, my perspective has truly been
a bit off until recently. In a mad dash
to clean my house before company was coming over, I found myself extremely
fatigued and frustrated as my two year old was literally under my feet at every
single step. Mix that with a screaming
newborn and I am sure you could sympathize with my fleeing thoughts of running
away to some remote island by myself! It didn’t take long however, for my witty two
year old to help me see my error.
With
all the wonder one could ever muster, his eyes glowed and he said, “Look Momma!
Look at the stars!!!” as he whimsically stared at all the dust catching
sunlight, as it came through the blinds in our bedroom window. For five still minutes, he stared at these
‘stars’ as if they had fallen from the sky itself. I was speechless.
Stars. He saw stars. I saw mess and felt frustration
because I believed my house just might not be clean enough for Christmas guests,
that I am sure are not coming for a clean house anyway. Here I was a half second away from blowing my
top, putting him in time out and allowing myself to feel bad about
‘all’ I have going on in that moment, when his sweet perspective gently changed
mine. Staring at him staring at the
‘stars,’ I felt my heartrate slow, my mind clear and in that moment I entered
his little world of wonder- only to experience it for myself. Had I stayed in my hustle and bustle I would
have missed it. I would have missed
Christmas too…
This incident only happened a few days ago, but it
taught me something that I pray the Lord will have me remember for years to
come.
PERSPECTIVE.
In a season known for endless to do lists, busyness
and sadly frustration, it is easy to lose sight of ALL that matters this time
of year. To help keep my mind where it
needs to stay, I made a list of Christmas songs, which will
help me keep the right perspective this beautifully blessed Christmas
season. Maybe this can help you too if
you can relate.
1. My Grown Up Christmas List: Make yourself a grown up Christmas list. Not filled with gifts for yourself (although
the benefit will turn out to be just that) but a list of ways YOU can be the
gift!
a. Bake
for a neighborb. Serve food at the homeless shelter (great to do with your kiddos)
c. Bring coats downtown and hand them out to the homeless.
d. Sit with your elderly family member, listen with your whole heart, and let them tell you all the stories their heart desires. (you can do this at the nursing home if you have no elderly family members.)
2. Silent Night:
Give yourself a silent night and some time to reflect. Turn on the old Christmas Carols that mean
the most to you, pour yourself some hot chocolate, and be intentionally
reflective for even just 5 minutes. Sit,
think and soak in the beauty of the Christmas season. You won’t regret it.
4. Away In A Manger: Although many choose not to, true holiday joy cannot be experienced without first accepting the real Gift of Christmas. Christ is the gift, cliché or not, he is a true historically documented figure that came to the Earth, lived a more than righteous life, performed miracles, was crucified to death only to be seen alive again by hundreds of eye witnesses’… His birth, His life is the Gift of Christmas. Belief in Him comes with the promise of eternity, joy, fulfilling love and peace in abundance. Now that’s better than any Black Friday deal I’ve heard of! (People, churches, religions and even I myself have made a mess out of who Jesus really is. If you do not know Him, please do not let the mess we’ve made of Him dictate Who He is to you. He would love the opportunity to introduce Himself to you, with no help from any of us, just ask Him.) Unwrapping His love at Christmas is a gift that truly is priceless.
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little
Christmas: Finally,
remember that it is not always the circumstance or trial that is permanent but
our memories. As crazy as this season
can be, and as hard as some of our lives are at the current time, usually these
things past. How we respond, the way we
allow ourselves to react- that will be what we (and sometimes others) remember
most as our Christmas experience during this season. SO- Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
Relax, Reflect and Rejoice in this beautiful Christmas Season!
Quick
and Easy Yummy Chocolate Bark Recipe
Make
This With Your Kiddos- Make a Memory!
Makes a Great Gift!
Ingredients:
25
Oreo cookies
3
cups white chocolate chips or semisweet chocolate chips (can do half of both)
1
teaspoon vanilla extract (use with semisweet chips only)
To Make:
Line
a 9-inch-square baking pan with waxed paper. Coat the paper with nonstick
spray; set it aside. Pour the cookies into a large bowl and break them into
small pieces. Melt the chips in a large
microwave-safe bowl according to the package directions. After chips have
melted add extract. Remove from the microwave and quickly fold in the cookie
pieces with a spatula. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and spread to
about a 1/2-inch thickness. Refrigerate until solid, about 1 hour.
Remove
the bark from the pan and carefully peel off the waxed paper. Set the bark on a
cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the bark into 12 bars for wrapping or
24 triangles for boxing. Store in an
airtight container.
Because Each Minute Is A Gift, Let's Be Intentional This Christmas Season and
Truly Experience Every Second!
#MinutesMatter
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:10-14
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