Just as I did last week, I am sharing a post from two years ago. It was the first Christmas without my mother and I was in danger of losing my joy. Maybe you are at risk of losing yours too. If so, I hope this little message will be a blessing and remind you to turn your focus away from all the endless ‘to dos’ and onto the Joygiver. – Laura xo
Merry Christmas dear friends!
I hope you are enjoying the days leading up to Christmas Eve!
No, you didn’t read that wrong – I did say enjoying. See the word JOY in there? It’s between the ‘en’ and the ‘ing’. Joy is so easy to lose – even in the most joyful time of the year.
I don’t know about you, but I have had a few frantic moments over the past week or so. Honestly, I think I was trying too hard to make this Christmas extra-special since it is our first without my mom. Bad idea. What I thought would bring my family and I joy, ended up causing a good amount of stress for me.
I was anything but joyful.
Ask my friend Jeanne. She was with me in the car last Friday night when I was having a pre-Christmas meltdown! It wasn’t pretty. Jeanne’s a saint, by the way. She just let me vent. That’s what best girlfriends do.
Finally, by last Saturday morning I had to have a little talk with myself about calming down and letting a few things go – and, thankfully, I listened! As a result, this has been a much better week. I’m actually enjoying my preparations for Christmas!
I’m thinking my husband is, too. Poor man.
Several years ago, I found this little article among my grandmother’s things. She always posted it on her refrigerator right after Thanksgiving to remind herself to keep things in perspective as she prepared for the holidays.
Now… it could be that I simply come from a long line of women who get frantic in December – or maybe, just maybe, you get a little crazy at Christmas, too. If so, I hope that Marjorie Holmes’ words will help you refocus and, if necessary, let a few things go.
This was written nearly 45 years ago. I find it comforting to know women have been struggling with Christmas stress long before we have. You will see that even though her words are a bit old fashioned, they are completely relevant today.
A Woman’s Conversation with God
Let me come eagerly to Christmas this year, Lord. Let me come gaily, with a new delight in the countless things I must accomplish – the shopping, the wrapping and mailing, the addressing of mountains of cards. Let me find new joy in the bazaars, the parties and programs, the baking and decorating…not to mention all the things I’ve promised to do for others.
Instead of my usual seasonal panic, fill me with a glowing sense of trust and peace. Each day that I awake, let me rejoice in the fact that I’m well and able to do it – that I can get up and begin.
And though there never seems to be enough time (or money), let me remember that you’ve never let us down. That, as with the loaves and the fishes, a miracle happens each year. There is always plenty – more than plenty. The house overflows with gifts and friends, the tree is bowed with its shining burden, the table groans with delicious things to eat.
Even time stretches out like a magic ribbon, somehow embracing all that must be done. As for a woman’s strength – therein lies the greatest marvel of all. You give each of us extra portions for this season so that at the end, like children, we hug Christmas close to our hearts and don’t want it to be over.
Remind me of all this as I prepare for Christmas this year, Lord. Let me come eagerly to the seemingly impossible, knowing that this holy, happy season is a time of miracles. — Marjorie Holmes
My grandmother’s original article, just the way she fashioned it with felt and yarn, now hangs in my kitchen.
May our sweet Lord grant each of you extra portions of whatever you need over the next few days.
Grace? Comfort? Peace? He has an unlimited supply.
Belief? Hope? Sanity? Just ask.
And don’t forget…JOY!
He is the one and only place where you can find it!
Merry Christmas and lots of love,
