Holiday Joy

This is the first year in many a year that I am actually gearing up for Thanksgiving and Christmas, joyfully I might add.  I have been trying to figure it out for days.  Why?  In the past I was the one to say, "bah-hum-bug,"  I know that sounds awful, because it is the time when we are "supposed" to meditate on thanking God, and meditating on the First Advent.  The last few+ years I have been so stressed out between kids productions, teaching, teacher gifts, gifts for family, decorating, traveling, gifts for friends, gifts for kids that all I did was run around like a turkey who had lost its mind.  Will I get give the gifts evenly between the five, will I pick out the right things at the right times for all the others (the one that are obligations).  I used to always bake for the neighbors, haven't done that in about five years.  I used to send out Christmas cards, haven't done that in who knows how long.  In years past I could feel this knot in my stomach come into play around the first week in November and there it would stay until after New Years.  Every time I would see some one really enjoying the season I would get this guilty head ache.

This year is different.  I have already started decorating for Christmas, getting ideas in play, and putting up the garland with lights.  Today I went to Greensboro and bought a Turkey platter (mine broke last year).  I tried to find the bookstore, but got lost instead.  I couldn't go to a big city without at least trying to go to a bookstore!  

A few years ago we decided that we would only give the kids one present a piece, except for stockings.  That has helped a great deal. This year I have planned all sorts of things.  Maybe it's because I am at the lake house and we have much more room to decorate.   Maybe it's because we don't have much money this year, and I am having to really use my creative skills.  I have designed cross stitch patterns, went to a saw mill the other day and designed a shelf for my wall, made a dog bed for Dallas.  I have been scouring the junk/antique stores trying to find treasures, and have seen lots of things that have given me ideas.  I refinished two tables.  I am having so much fun.  

It has really gotten me to thinking about creativity.  Teaching brought out one set of creative necessities.  Now that I am home, it is bringing back some that have laid dormant for a long, long time.  Our Father is the Great Creator.  We are made in His image, and He takes great delight in creating everyday.  Just think, our creator is not just a watch maker who has wound up the world and left to go on vacation.  He watches over His creation daily, and daily re-creating.  The birds are not without His thoughts, the leaves as they fall, the animals, the grasses, etc, etc., and He creates them all.   I am sure He looks on His world and laughs with joy as He sees what He has made.  We are made the same way.  This season I am delighting in the things that I have made, and delighting in giving them to those I love.  May my attitude, not just the end result, bring God glory, and those that I give to, laughter and joy.